JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – With Independence Day approaching, many area residents are finalizing plans to head to the beaches for the festivities. There are some things about traffic and parking you need to know ahead of time, so everything runs smoothly.
Starting Saturday, a portion of the Jacksonville Beach Pier parking lot will be closed until July 4, which will affect parking.
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The cities of Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach urged early planning because driving and parking can get a little hectic."
As always, safety is number one. That's why the beach will be closed from 3rd Avenue North to 5th Ave North for fireworks.
Driving to where you need to be when it’s crowded? That can be a headache all on its own.
Jacksonville Beach police suggest people use JTB West as their main travel route from 3rd Street. This is especially the case following fireworks.
Beach Blvd. and Atlantic Blvd. could be used also going west, but police say they will be much slower because of traffic lights along the way.
Jacksonville Beach police say 1st Street North could close if public safety becomes a concern.
Looking at Neptune Beach, 1st Street will be closed to through traffic and parking from 7 in the morning to 10 at night on July 4. Intersections and side streets along 1st Street will only be open to through traffic.
Police said to expect some delays, but be safe and enjoy the show.
Something not to be left out this Fourth of July is safety. The police departments want to remind people that plenty of officers will be on hand, and remember: if you "see something, say something". Another thing, the city said people need to remember to throw their trash away.