Gameday traffic flow usual despite bridge closure

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The closure of the Mathews Bridge didn't disrupt traffic for the Jaguars game on Sunday.

With multiple agencies working together and fans taking advice from city officials -- there didn't seem to be any out of the ordinary traffic problems today for fans making their way to the game .

Jason and Rich Williams say they usually take the stadium shuttle service -- but with the closure of the Mathews Bridge -- they wouldn't have considered anything else.

"The safety and the convenience and just getting on and out downtown can be very congested and I think its safer. Especially if you have kids, just easier to get in and out," they said.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has said for days that traffic and parking wouldn't be a major problem if people made a few minor adjustments. They asked game goers to follow appropriate detours and to leave for the game 30 minutes early.

Many fans said the trip to the game was just like the trip on any other gameday.

"It says that we work well together. It says that before anything ever happens, we're already planning for events like this, we're already helping each other and sharing information which is very important,"
said JSO Lt. Deloris Patterson.

Another alternative for fans getting to Sunday's game was the Jacksonville Water Taxi. Even Steve and Jessica Boras -- who aren't as familiar with the city since they're from out-of-town -- said they didn't run into a single problem.

"It's been smooth sailing for us so today, so we got lucky," they said.

Once the Jaguars game is over with and the work week starts again, JSO says it will continue to have extra officers at each of the detour routes to make sure the traffic run as smooth as possible.