July 4th Traffic for Jacksonville and Beaches Events

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Thousands of people will be packing into Downtown Jacksonville and the Jacksonville beaches for two of the biggest 4th of July events on the First Coast.

Drivers can expect delays and road closures.

Friday afternoon the Acosta Bridge and the Main Street Bridge will have only one lane open in each direction. This is because crews will be setting up the fireworks on those bridges.

Then the Acosta Bridge and Main Street Bridge will be closed around 9:30 p.m. until after the fireworks show.

Sgt. Leonard Propper with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says the downtown roads will busy this afternoon. He says typically the heaviest traffic is on E. Bay Street, Hogan Street, Water Street, San Marco Boulevard and Riverplace Blvd.

People can avoid some of the commute on the roads by taking the Water Taxi around Jacksonville. Today (July 4th) the water taxis are running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The water taxi stops include: The Jacksonville Landing, Metro Park, Liberty Street, Friendship Fountain, Crowne Plaza and Wyndham Hotel.

The price for water taxis start at $3 for a one-way fare.

In Jacksonville Beach, police say many patrons will have to park 10 to 12 blocks from the beach and then walk or bike to the beach.

A portion of the Jacksonville Pier parking lot is closed on today (July 4th). Also the parking lot between Carrabbas and Quality Suites Oceanfront will have a portion closed until 10:30 p.m.

There are three main road closures in Jacksonville Beach for July 4th.

1st Street N. is closed from Beach Blvd. to 1st Avenue N. until 10:30 p.m.

Also 1st Street N. between 1st & 2nd Avenue N. will be closed from noon until 10:30 p.m.

1st Avenue N. will be closed from 2nd Street N. to 1st Street N. from noon to 10:30 p.m.

Police and Florida Highway Patrol troopers wil be out in full force watching especially for speeders and drunk drivers.