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Infamous ‘San Marco Train’ delays start of Jacksonville Light Boat Parade

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If the past is any indicator of present or future behavior, the infamous San Marco train delivered in a textbook way.

The train, known for causing severe delays during peak commute hours, interrupted families yet again this time during a highly-anticipated 30-year tradition, the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade.

The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade was supposed to begin at 6 p.m. but the start was a half-hour later because the train stopped on the bridge that crosses the St. Johns River.

A CSX spokesperson Sunday the train did not belong to them and referred our questions to Florida East Coast Railay (FEC).

The trains have become known as the “San Marco train” after years of disruptions that even rerouted ambulances with critical patients. News4Jax has reported on tie-ups caused by the train as far back as 2018.

After complaints about trains in the area reached a fever pitch in recent weeks, CSX and City Councilman Matt Carlucci worked together and proposed a resolution that they say relieves both commuters and railway operations. Carlucci, who is running for mayor in 2023, said the project includes building more tracks at the main CSX railyard for trains to move and stack there -- also funding to add more signals, crossings, and structural improvements.

The hope is that drivers in places like Hendricks Avenue and San Marco Boulevard would be able to navigate the area with significantly less interference due to railway operations.

The project’s partners include FDOT, Florida East Coast Railway, Jacksonville Transportation Authority, and the City of Jacksonville. Under the CSX-Carlucci proposal as it is right now, there is no firm timeframe of when the work could be completed.

Boats decorated with Christmas lights, even some with lights designed as a Christmas tree, cruised down the St. Johns River for the Jacksonville Light Boat Parade.

It’s a tradition that’s been happening in the city for 30 years.

“The lights were pretty. There was a gingerbread house boat,” Alexis Rice said.

Participants are judged on overall look and decoration composition.

“This is a beautiful thing to do for the river we have,” said Enrique Figuero, who has been going to this light parade for three years now.

He and his wife enjoyed the show.

“It’s a family day. You come here, sit down and enjoy,” Figuero said.

Figuero and his wife sat along the south side of the river near the old River City Brewing Company.

“Sometimes it’s not enough boats for the people who come out here,” Figuero said.

Rice and her family were in the same location and didn’t see as many boats as they’d hoped.

When asked if she was disappointed she wasn’t closer, Rice said, “A little bit, but I got to see a lot of the lights.”

Chelsea Briggs and her family had fun.

“I said the whole family’s in town. Let’s go,” Briggs said.

She wishes downtown would do more events like this.

“I wish we had more, maybe we’ll get there, but hoping to see more events like this,” Briggs said.

The night ended with a fireworks show featuring “waterfalls” off the Main Street and Acosta bridges.

Click here for more information on the parade.


About the Authors
Francine Frazier headshot

A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union.

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