Major Downtown Closures for Gate River Run; Bridge Delays and Transit Detours Expected Today
Significant Disruption in Downtown and San Marco
Jacksonville commuters and residents should prepare for significant travel impacts today, Saturday, March 7, 2026, as the 48th Annual Gate River Run takes over the streets of downtown and San Marco. With over 20,000 participants expected, several major arteries and bridges will be closed to vehicle traffic throughout the morning. Drivers are strongly advised to avoid the downtown core unless attending the event.
Key Bridge and Road Closures
The following major closures are in effect to accommodate the 15K course and the new start/finish line at the Jacksonville Shipyards:
- Main Street Bridge: Fully closed to all vehicle traffic from approximately 7:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Hart Bridge: The southeast-bound lanes (the "Green Monster") will be closed from 7:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
- Bay Street: Closed east of the Main Street Bridge near the Shipyards for the duration of the event.
- Duval Street: Closed from the Jacksonville Fairgrounds to the Main Street Bridge between 7:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.
- San Marco & Southbank: Staggered closures will affect Riverplace Boulevard, Prudential Drive, and Hendricks Avenue between 8:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. as the race field moves through the area.
Public Transport and Ferry Alerts
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has issued several alerts for today. Due to the Amelia Concours event, the St. Johns River Ferry is experiencing much higher ridership than usual; travelers should expect significantly longer wait times through Sunday. Additionally, several bus routes are operating on detours:
- Route 8: Detoured due to the ongoing closure of the Art Museum Drive Bridge.
- Route 12: Impacted by JEA construction at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Kings Road.
- Route 22: Detoured near 13th Street and Fairfax Street due to active roadworks.
As a reminder, JTA is currently running a pilot program with fixed-route bus fares reduced to $1, and the NAVI autonomous shuttle on Bay Street remains free for all users.
Interstate and General Roadworks
Beyond event-related closures, long-term construction continues to affect major corridors. On I-295, maintenance operations on the Buckman Bridge may result in narrowed lanes. Meanwhile, the massive I-95/I-295 North Interchange project remains active, with shifts in traffic patterns near Airport Road. Commuters using I-95 between Emerson Street and Atlantic Boulevard should also watch for lane shifts as widening work continues in that sector. Drive with extra caution through these work zones where speed limits have been reduced.