Dense Fog and Dames Point Bridge Crash Slow Friday Morning Commute

Morning Commute Overview

Jacksonville residents are waking up to a challenging Friday morning on the roads. A combination of dense sea fog and significant traffic incidents has hampered the morning drive across the First Coast this March 6. As of early this morning, a major crash on the Dames Point Bridge has resulted in the closure of two northbound lanes on I-295, causing a significant bottleneck for those traveling from the Arlington area toward the Northside. Emergency crews are currently on-site, and delays are stretching back several miles.

Adding to the difficulty, a Weather Impact Alert for dense fog remains in effect until 9:00 a.m. Visibility is severely limited in many areas, particularly near the coast and over major bridges. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, increase following distances, and use low-beam headlights to navigate the hazardous conditions safely. The fog is expected to burn off by mid-morning, but the early commute will remain impacted.

Major Artery Construction & Lane Closures

Construction activity remains high across the city’s major arteries as the work week concludes. Commuters should be aware of the following ongoing projects and scheduled roadworks:

• I-95 Widening Project: Construction continues on the I-95 corridor from Emerson Street to Atlantic Boulevard. While this major widening project is nearing completion—with current reports indicating only six days remaining in this specific phase—drivers should still expect lane shifts and reduced speed limits through the work zone.
• Buckman Bridge Maintenance: Bridge maintenance operations on the I-295 West Beltway at the Buckman Bridge are causing intermittent lane closures today. Expect slow-moving traffic for those crossing between Mandarin and Orange Park.
• Main Street (US-17): Road construction between Baisden Road and the Nassau River Bridge is creating periodic delays for Northside commuters. Crews are active in the area, and flaggers may be present.
• Cassat and Edgewood Avenues: Long-term utility and roadwork on State Road 111 from Beaver Street to North Old Kings Road continue to impact local traffic flow in the Westside area.

Public Transport & JTA Service Alerts

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has announced several detours and service advisories that may affect your Friday travel plans:

• NAVI Autonomous Shuttle: Due to preparations for the upcoming Gate River Run, the NAVI shuttle is on a full-day detour today. Temporary stops have been positioned in front of the Hyatt Hotel on East Coastline Drive.
• St. Johns River Ferry: Increased ridership is expected through March 8 due to the Amelia Concours event. Travelers should expect longer-than-usual wait times at the Mayport and Fort George Island landings and are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly.
• Bus Route Detours: Route 8 remains on detour due to the ongoing closure of the Art Museum Drive Bridge. Additionally, Route 12 is currently navigating around JEA construction at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Kings Road.

Commuters are encouraged to allow at least 20 extra minutes for their arrival times this morning. Stay safe and patient as the fog clears and the bridge incident is processed by first responders.