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JEAN HELLERTransportation by air, rail and road is expected to eventually return to normal today and Tuesday.
TAMPA - Transportation in the Tampa Bay area and across the state was expected to crawl back toward normalcy today, but it could take days before the journey is complete.
Officials at the two major area airports were hopeful that some air service could begin by late morning or early afternoon, but they cautioned that passengers should check with their airlines for information on specific flights.
Train travel around the southern half of the state remained almost nonexistent.
Motorists were advised by state emergency management officials to stay at home through the Labor Day holiday, not only for safety but because gasoline would be hard to come by. Retail outlets were going to play second fiddle to emergency needs in the distribution of available supplies.
While Hurricane Frances went from a weak Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm as it passed through the Tampa Bay area, it left its mark and created significant impediments to travel.
A large window shattered at Airside D at Tampa International Airport, but it was not in a passenger waiting area, and officials felt confident they could board it up and fix it later.
"It's our oldest airside, so it was more susceptible," said Christine Osborn, a TIA spokeswoman.
Weather permitting, Osborn said the airsides would be reopened and secured early Monday morning and would be available to passengers about 8:30 a.m. The first airline arrivals were expected about 10 a.m.
Michele Routh, spokeswoman for St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, said no decisions would be made about resumption of operations there until today.
"Then officials will assess the (terminal) building and the airfield, and if they look good, we'll begin talking to the airlines and the Transportation Security Administration about reopening," Routh said. "We don't control the airlines, and they'll start up when they think it's safe."
Miami and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airports reopened Sunday but with limited airline service. West Palm Beach International and Orlando International airports were scheduled to reopen today.
Amtrak continued suspensions of rail services to the southern half of Florida, canceling all trains today and two on Tuesday.
The Palmetto, Silver Star and Silver Meteor trains from New York to Miami were canceled today as was the Auto Train which travels from Sanford to Lorton, Va., outside Washington, D.C. The Sunset Limited, which originates in Los Angeles, will stop in New Orleans instead of Orlando. The Auto Train and the Sunset Limited also were canceled for Tuesday.
Driving around the region remained difficult and dangerous Monday. The Sunshine Skyway was expected to reopen at some point, but not until winds fell below 40 mph. The Courtney Campbell Parkway, which was closed due to high winds on Sunday, also was expected to reopen.
Downed trees blocked many local roads, including eastbound State Road 50 in Hernando County.
Traffic signals throughout the region were damaged and officials reminded motorists to treat intersections without signals as four-way stops. If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.
Tolls remained suspended on roads and bridges throughout the Florida peninsula, although some remained in effect in the Panhandle.