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Nights of Lights Begins in St. Augustine as New Traffic and Safety Measures Roll Out

Officials say new shuttles, higher fines, barricades, extra police aim to ease congestion.

Overview

  • Thousands gathered for the Light Up Night kickoff as more than 3 million lights illuminated the historic downtown.
  • Free shuttles are running on more days from three lots—Broudy’s on West King Street, North San Marco Avenue, and the St. Johns County Health Department—to reduce downtown traffic.
  • The City Commission raised the illegal-parking fine to $100 from $35 under an ordinance approved in late August to deter curbside congestion.
  • Police are directing crossings at key intersections as vehicle barricades and removed street parking in areas such as Cathedral Place and Avenida Menendez channel foot and car traffic; westbound Bridge of Lions is right-turn only at peak times, and rideshare pickups are limited to five set locations on Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Seventy portable toilets have been deployed across the district, and Visit St. Augustine’s new Nights of Lights app offers real-time shuttle info and restroom and parking maps, supported by added funding reported as an $851,000 award and a separate $650,000 county contribution.