St. Patrick’s Day Street Parties and Emergency Repairs Trigger Commuter Delays

Downtown Orlando St. Patrick’s Day Alerts

Orlando commuters should prepare for significant pedestrian traffic and road closures today, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, as the city celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. The most notable disruption is the full closure of Court Street from Washington Street to Central Boulevard to accommodate the annual St. Patrick’s Day Block Party. This closure began at 9:00 AM and is expected to remain in effect through the late evening hours. Motorists traveling through the Central Business District should anticipate heavy congestion on Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue as traffic detours around the festivities.

Emergency Repairs in College Park

Residents and commuters in the College Park area face a new full road closure starting today. Alba Drive is closed to all traffic between Ellwood Avenue and Westmoreland Drive for emergency paver repairs. This work is scheduled to continue through Friday, March 20. Drivers are encouraged to use Princeton Street or Westmoreland Drive as primary alternatives. Additionally, utility work on Clay Avenue between Bay Run Street and Pelham Road has also restricted access, adding to the localized delays in the northern neighborhoods.

Major Arteries and Regional Construction

Travelers utilizing major expressway corridors should maintain awareness of ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to impact travel times:

• I-4 and Sand Lake Road (SR 482): The massive reconstruction of this interchange into a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) is in an active phase. While lanes remain open, shifts are frequent. Motorists are reminded that the new loop ramp from westbound Sand Lake Road to Turkey Lake Road is the primary route for those heading south toward the theme park district.
• SR 417 (Central Florida GreeneWay): Widening efforts in Seminole County between Aloma Avenue and SR 434 continue. While most heavy work is reserved for nighttime hours, reduced shoulder widths and concrete coating projects near the SR 408 interchange may slow morning traffic.
• Virginia Drive: A lane shift remains in effect between Alden Road and New York Avenue for sanitary manhole repairs, which may impact access for those traveling toward Ivanhoe Village.

Public Transport and Rail Services

For those looking to avoid the downtown parking crunch, SunRail is a recommended alternative. The system is operating its full schedule, including service to the DeLand Station. Due to the intersection of St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break 2026, SunRail has signaled potential late-night service adjustments to accommodate event-goers. Commuters are advised to check the latest mobile app alerts before heading to the platform. LYNX bus services are also reporting detours for routes passing through the downtown core due to the Court Street block party.