Downtown Gridlock: Heavy Delays for Magic 5K and Lunar New Year

Saturday Morning: Heavy Delays Expected Downtown

Orlando commuters and weekend travelers should prepare for a busy morning as multiple high-profile events and construction projects converge this Saturday, January 31, 2026. The most significant impact is in the downtown core, where the annual Orlando Magic 5K and Kids’ Run is currently underway. Major thoroughfares including Church Street, Division Avenue, and South Street are experiencing full closures for race staging and participant safety. Motorists trying to access the Kia Center or the Parramore district will find themselves detoured toward Westmoreland Drive and Central Boulevard, where intermittent traffic halts are also expected until the early afternoon.

Adding to the downtown activity, the 5th Annual Celebrate Lunar festival has transformed Luminary Green Park in the Creative Village. For this event, Chatham Avenue and Terry Avenue have been closed to vehicle traffic. If you are traveling through this area, expect a surge in pedestrian traffic and limited parking availability near the downtown UCF and Valencia campuses. Using the I-4 Express lanes is highly recommended for those traveling through the city without a downtown destination to avoid these surface street bottlenecks.

Regional Highway and Local Roadwork

Beyond the special events, several long-term infrastructure projects continue to affect the daily commute. On the western side of the city, U.S. 441 (Orange Blossom Trail) remains a major pain point. Northbound traffic is restricted to a single lane between Beggs Road and the State Road 414 ramps to accommodate ongoing excavation and water main installations. This project is expected to continue through April, so plan for persistent slow-downs in the area.

• Hillcrest Street is completely closed between Broadway Avenue and Cathcart Avenue in Lake Eola Heights for sanitary sewer repairs. This closure will remain in place until 4:00 PM today.
• Lake Baldwin Lane in Baldwin Park is closed between Jake Street and Nolan Court for a scheduled roofing project, coinciding with the Wild Florida 5K at Lake Baldwin Park.
• Moving I-4 Forward construction is active in the Osceola and Polk county segments. While main lanes are open, watch for narrow lanes and shifting patterns near the U.S. 192 and World Drive interchanges.
• The intersection of Fern Creek Avenue and Oregon Street in Colonialtown remains closed for gravity sewer improvements.

Public Transit Reminders

Public transport users should be mindful of the LYNX system-wide changes that took effect earlier this month. Many traditional routes in Seminole County, such as Links 34, 45, and 103, have been permanently discontinued in a shift toward on-demand van services. Additionally, downtown LYMMO lines may experience delays or slight routing adjustments this morning due to the 5K race course. Commuters are advised to check the LYNX mobile app for real-time bus tracking and any last-minute service alerts related to the morning's festivities.