Port Canaveral Chairman Wayne Justice Calls Out Traffic Congestion as Elephant in the Room at ‘The People’s Port’
By Space Coast Daily // September 4, 2025
Port Canaveral Faces Rising Traffic and Parking Strains as Cruise Passenger Numbers Surge
BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – With record-breaking passenger volumes on the horizon, Port Canaveral officials are preparing for mounting traffic congestion and limited parking, issues the Canaveral Port Authority says must be addressed quickly.
Port Authority Chairman Wayne Justice recently called congestion “the elephant in the room,” urging the board to find solutions for the increasing backups along State Road A1A and surrounding areas.
“We really need to improve how traffic flows in and around the port,” Justice said during a recent CPA board meeting.
Port Canaveral, now the second-busiest cruise port in the world, is expecting more than 9 million passengers during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, up from about 8.5 million this year. With many travelers driving directly to the terminals, traffic jams have become a routine occurrence, especially on days when five or six ships are in port.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Long said the port has allocated millions of dollars to address traffic concerns.
CPA officials are reviewing traffic flow around cruise terminals. They may rework entry and exit routes to reduce gridlock during peak hours, when passengers from multiple ships arrive and depart simultaneously. Ride-share vehicles, shuttles, and taxis also add to the congestion.
In the coming year, Port Canaveral expects six ships in port on 47 days—double the number from the current year. A total of 20 homeported vessels will sail from the port in 2025-26, up from 16 this year.
The Florida Department of Transportation’s long-term projects to expand State Road 528 and replace the State Road 401 drawbridges may eventually help, though they remain years from completion.
Parking is at Critical Mass
To accommodate the growing number of travelers, the port has launched several garage projects. Near Cruise Terminal 6, an 828-space garage will be replaced with a 3,000-space facility costing $82.5 million. While construction is underway, temporary surface lots and shuttle services will be used, costing an additional $2.5 million.
A second parking garage is planned near Cruise Terminal 3 with a $55 million budget.
Looking ahead, Port Canaveral plans to construct a new Cruise Terminal 4 on the south side of the port, adjacent to a large parking structure. The $317.9 million project is scheduled to open in early 2029, with $241 million already allocated in the 2027-28 budget.
To help fund these projects, port officials are considering raising parking rates. The proposal would increase daily rates for standard vehicles from $17 to $20 and for oversized vehicles from $29 to $40. The Canaveral Port Authority board will vote on the change at its meeting on September 24.
Long said the increase would bring prices closer to those at other major ports and airports while supporting infrastructure investments. Parking fees are projected to generate $61.6 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year—roughly a quarter of the port’s $237.4 million expected operating revenue.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the port also plans to deploy more off-duty sheriff’s deputies to direct traffic during peak travel days.
‘The People’s Port’ Has Been a Community Hub Since the 1950s
Cape Canaveral has been significant historically for centuries, as it is the oldest geographical name still in use in the Western Hemisphere.
Port Canaveral has been known as “The People’s Port” since its founding in the 1950s, underscoring its role as a vital public asset and a community hub for both residents of Brevard County and visitors.
“The People’s Port” embodies Port Canaveral’s commitment to serving the public through not only cruise ship operations, but also providing full public access to recreational facilities, beloved restaurants, shopping, Florida’s only gaming ship, entertainment, and Space Coast community events.
Victory Casino Cruises, America’s largest gaming cruise ship operator, recently marked a remarkable milestone—14 years of ocean cruises and welcoming over 3 million passengers to its Port Canaveral terminal.
As a gaming and entertainment industry leader, Victory Casino has solidified its reputation as a premier destination for those seeking world-class casino action combined with the excitement of a five-hour ocean cruise.
Since launching from Port Canaveral nearly 14 years ago, Victory Casino has made a significant economic impact on the region, contributing more than $25 million to the port and creating 350 sustainable jobs for local Brevard County residents.
Since its inaugural cruise, Victory Casino has also had an economic impact of over $800 million on the Space Coast economy.
Vital Hub for the Space Program
Port Canaveral has also become a vital hub for the space program, serving as a crucial gateway for rocket recovery operations, payload transportation, and aerospace logistics.
Located just south of the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the port plays a central role in supporting NASA and commercial space companies, such as SpaceX and Blue Origin.
SpaceX, for instance, routinely brings its Falcon 9 booster stages back to Port Canaveral aboard drone ships after ocean landings, where they are refurbished for future missions.
In addition, the port’s facilities are increasingly being used to transport large space components and supplies, making it not just a leader in cruise and cargo operations, but also an essential partner in America’s return to the Moon and its push toward Mars exploration.
