Heavy Delays on J. Turner Butler Blvd for THE PLAYERS; Downtown Detours in Effect

Saturday Traffic Overview

Jacksonville drivers should prepare for a high-volume travel day this Saturday, March 14, 2026. Between the final rounds of THE PLAYERS Championship and a packed schedule of downtown performances and sporting events, several major arteries will experience significant congestion. Travelers are encouraged to allow at least 30 to 45 minutes of extra commute time, particularly when heading toward the Beaches or the Urban Core.

Major Event Congestion: THE PLAYERS and Southside

The most significant traffic impact today is centered around the TPC Sawgrass area for THE PLAYERS Championship. Expect heavy delays on J. Turner Butler Boulevard (SR 202) eastbound and A1A throughout the morning and late afternoon. Parking lots at the tournament typically reach capacity early, leading to slow-moving traffic near the intersection of JTB and Palm Valley Road.

Additionally, the Caffeine & Octane car show at The Avenues Mall will draw large crowds to the Southside area from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This will likely cause localized rubbernecking and delays on US-1 (Philips Highway) and the I-95 South exits near Southside Boulevard.

Downtown and Sports Complex Alerts

The Downtown area will be particularly busy this evening. The Jacksonville Icemen host the Florida Everblades at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:00 p.m., while Moulin Rouge! The Musical has performances at the Moran Theater at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Commuters should expect heavy foot traffic and parking shortages near the Sports Complex and the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. A St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl is also scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m., further increasing activity in the downtown nightlife districts.

Ongoing Construction and Roadworks

• I-95/I-295 North Interchange: Construction continues on the Northside interchange. While major lane closures are generally avoided on weekends, drivers should be alert for narrowed lanes and shifting patterns near the Main Street overpass.
• I-95 Widening (Emerson to Atlantic): Expect possible daytime shoulder work on I-95 North near Emerson Street. While FDOT maintains peak-hour lane availability, weekend work may cause minor slowdowns for bridge replacement activities.
• Southside Boulevard: Resurfacing and drainage work near Deerwood Park Boulevard is ongoing. Watch for temporary lane shifts between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

JTA Public Transport Alerts

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has issued several service alerts for Saturday:

• Route 11: Detours will be in place starting at 7:00 p.m. to accommodate the Icemen game at the Arena. Several stops near the stadium will not be serviced.
• Route 8: Remains on detour due to the Art Museum Drive Bridge closure.
• Skyway: The Southbank Line continues to operate via a "Bus Bridge" from Kings Avenue to Rosa Parks Station due to ongoing maintenance. The Downtown Line remains limited to single-train operation.
• Routes 12 and 22: Ongoing construction detours remain in effect near Myrtle Avenue and 13th Street.