Several events and construction downtown this weekend could snarl traffic

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Metropolitan Park has been taken over by the popular Welcome to Rockville festival. Fences were already up Friday along with a nearly complete stage.

Also happening this weekend are two Jacksonville Suns Baseball games and Marvel Universe Live!

Less than 2 miles away on State Street, orange cones are also in place and detour signs are waiting in the wings so crews can begin working on the road Saturday morning.

“This particular weekend, we’re doing some water and drainage along State Street,” said FDOT spokesperson Debbie Delgado.

Starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, drivers won’t be able to access the portion of State Street between Main and Broad streets. Construction will wrap up on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Both cars and buses will be detoured. Delgado said buses will detour Pearl, 1st and Broad streets while vehicles will be detoured to Main, Beaver and Broad streets. Buses will still be able to access the Rosa Parks Transit Station.

Using a route other than the Mathews Bridge to get into downtown would be best.

Anthony Jones said he’d like to see more traffic control this weekend.

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“Try best to have more officers to direct traffic that’ll make it easier for people to not make too much chaos,” said Jones.

The good news is that the detour will only be a few blocks.

Delgado said she’s already contacted Rockville organizers to spread the word.

“I let them know them what was going to give them a heads up. She was able to relay that information to her team as well,” said Delgado.

The FDOT project on State Street is part a bigger $13 million project that will include resurfacing and improvements for Union Street and the Mathews Expressway as well.

If you’re headed to Rockville, you can park in Lot J as well as the surrounding areas east of EverBank Field. If you’re going to the Suns game you can park in Lot P as well as east of EverBank Field. If you’re going to Marvel Universe Live! you will be able to park in Lot Z and any lot west of the baseball grounds.

Cox Media Group