JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Passengers who regularly ride Jacksonville Transportation Authority buses through the San Marco area need to be prepared for some changes.
Starting Monday, JTA is adjusting its bus routes through the area because of construction on San Marco Boulevard and LaSalle Street.
JTA asks riders to prepare ahead of time for these temporary routes, which will last through June.
The temporary routes are to alleviate congestion at the intersection and although it can be a struggle, Allison Moses, owner of The Row House on San Marco Blvd says after the flooding they experienced, she’s fine with the temporary traffic changes so the $64 million dollar project can get done.
“It’s going to be rough. It is a project that is needed. We’re hoping it’s done before there is a hurricane, before Hurricane season. It is a hassle. It is annoying, but we are on board,” Moses said.
Moses says she’s been working with Joe Carlucci and the city and luckily there hasn’t been any major hiccups with the project, “Everybody in San Marco wants the project and wants the project to be done. And you know, it’s been kind of a collaborative project.”
While many of the businesses know that it’s a project that needs to be done, Bianca Santos who works on the other side of the intersection has a front row seat to a more difficult situation.
“Now I have to come like 20 minutes before, because it’s very hard to find some spot for parking, and you have a lot of detours in the area too. So it’s a very hard to find the spots for parking, especially this morning, the traffic was bad as well,” Santos said.
The transition will be difficult but both women understand it’s something that was desperately needed and wanted.
“I walk on the street like the water was under here on my belly. So, so, yeah, we needed this,” Santos said. Moses echoing the sentiment and also reminding the community, businesses are still open, “San Marco is small, but it is Mighty, and we want people to know that we are still open for business, and we still need that business, so continue doing what you’re doing. Just allow extra time do.”
JTA maps show the new layout on Route 8A/8B and Route 25. The gray arrows indicate the regular route, while the red arrows show the temporary routes.
Route 8A/8B changes
Route 25 changes
JTA said the changes might be inconvenient but are necessary for the project.
In a statement, JTA encouraged customers to check the MyJTA app or their website at JTAFLA.com for real-time updates and detour information.
“We appreciate the community’s patience as we work together to improve infrastructure and ensure a safer, more reliable transit experience for all,” the statement read in part.
JTA has provided a list of temporary boarding locations. Passengers can board the bus at the corner of any street along the temporary routes.
Routes 8-A and 8-B:
- Eastbound:
- Nira Street
- Hendricks Avenue
- Westbound:
- Kings Avenue
- Nira Street
Route 25:
- Northbound:
- Hendricks Avenue
- Atlantic Boulevard
- Kings Avenue
- Nira Street
- Southbound:
- Cedar Street
- Hendricks Avenue
JTA reminds passengers to board on the same side of the street as the bus door to ensure a smooth transition during this period of construction.
These changes are being implemented in response to the city’s $64 million drainage project aimed at reducing flooding in the San Marco area.
The project will require building deep trenches, impacting all traffic. In addition to the alternate bus routes, drivers can expect detours throughout the month and into May.
The entire drainage project is expected to be completed by next year.
