Heavy Tournament Traffic and I-10 Construction Impact Friday Commutes in Jacksonville

Morning Overview: Tournament Traffic Warning

Commuters in the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra areas should prepare for significant congestion today, Friday, March 13, 2026, as THE PLAYERS Championship enters its peak weekend of play at TPC Sawgrass. Heavy traffic is expected along J. Turner Butler Boulevard (SR 202) and A1A throughout the morning and afternoon. Tournament officials and local law enforcement are encouraging attendees to utilize the Gameday Xpress shuttle services to reduce the number of individual vehicles on the road. If you are not attending the tournament, it is highly recommended to seek alternative routes such as US-1 or Phillips Highway to avoid the anticipated gridlock near the Southside and Beaches area.

Major Roadworks & Active Construction

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues its extensive widening project on I-10 between I-295 and I-95. While major overnight detours concluded early this morning, commuters should remain vigilant for permanent lane shifts and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph through the work zone. Additionally, a new construction project has been reported on Main Street (US-17). Both northbound and southbound lanes between Baisden Road and the Nassau River Bridge are currently experiencing delays due to active equipment on the roadway. In the Southside area, Emerson Street (SR-126) is undergoing long-term improvements between US-1 and Spring Park Road; expect intermittent lane closures as crews work on resurfacing and utility upgrades.

Downtown and Evening Event Alerts

The downtown core will see a surge in traffic volume starting this afternoon as multiple events coincide. The Jacksonville Icemen are scheduled to take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena at 7:00 p.m., while the Jacksonville Symphony will perform Handel’s Messiah at the Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall at 7:30 p.m. Combined with the usual Friday evening rush hour, these events will likely lead to delays on the Hart and Mathews Bridges. Pedestrian traffic will be heavy near the Sports Complex and the Water Street parking garages, so drivers are urged to use extra caution in these zones.

Public Transit and Commuter Tips

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has confirmed that its paratransit services are operating under recently updated efficiency schedules, which may impact standard pickup windows for Connexion riders. For those using fixed-route buses, the MyJTA app provides real-time arrivals and is the best way to monitor detours caused by the I-10 construction or tournament-related road closures. Commuters are advised to leave at least 25 minutes earlier than usual and to monitor the FL511 system for any sudden incidents on the I-95 corridor.

• Avoid J. Turner Butler Boulevard unless traveling to the tournament.
• Watch for lane shifts on I-10 Westbound near Lane Avenue.
• Plan for parking delays in the Downtown Sports Complex after 5:30 p.m.