JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Driving in downtown Jacksonville will be harder before it becomes easier as the city begins work on Forsyth Street, one of the roads that is being returned to two-way traffic.
The traffic shift on Forsyth and Adams streets will make the area safer for pedestrians and help traffic flow better, the city said.
Adams Street has a mix of businesses, banks and restaurants.
Construction is going to last a few months and drivers should expect congestion during that time.
According to the city, restoring two-way streets downtown has been a priority in the master plan for quite some time.
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“Restoring two-way streets is proven to encourage economic growth, boost property values, and support more efficient use of on-street parking and rideshare services,” the city said. “It also enhances retail visibility and occupancy rates, improves walkability and pedestrian safety, increases sidewalk activity, and elevates residential demand and quality of life.”
Construction for Phase 1 started Saturday with the closure of the northern lane of Forsyth. Then on March 1, traffic will shift to the southern lane of Adams. In Phase 2, traffic will move to one lane on the north side of Adams Street and the south side.
If you are traveling through this area expect:
- Milling and resurfacing the roads, pavement installation and parking kiosks in this area
- Parking will be closed off on the closed lanes but will remain available on the open lanes
- Businesses and buildings will be accessible
- Pedestrians can also walk through this area
Current work includes two-way conversions, signalization, paving, striping, sidewalk expansion areas, and parking kiosks, the city said.
Upon completion, crews will begin widening sidewalks, planting trees, and enhancing streetscapes.
The first phase of the two-way conversion project is expected to be done summer of this year, while the entire project is slated to be wrapped up by “late 2026.”
Streets being converted from two-ways to one-ways and vice versa isn’t a new concept in Jacksonville.
The Jaxson Magazine wrote about the decline of Broad Street when it was turned from a two-way street to a one-way street. That article can be read here.