FDOT considers closing Main Street Bridge on-ramp

Local runners oppose changes that would affect 'Bridge Loop'

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city has asked the Florida Department of Transportation to consider a proposal that would close the on-ramp to the Main Street Bridge from The Jacksonville Landing.

It's a plan that had local runners racing to a public discussion of the plan Thursday night.

The changes are just in the planning stages. Nothing has been decided yet. But a lot of runners News4Jax interviewed said it would drastically change their pattern of travel to the Downtown area, and some said it could be a safety issue. 

Runners, pedestrians and cyclists rely on the on-ramp at Independent Drive, along with drivers.

"It's really right on what we consider, what we call the Bridge Loop," said Doug Alred, longtime race director for the Gate River Run. "It's the Main and the Acosta bridges, so many people in this city train on that loop. It's basically a 2-mile loop."

At a meeting held Downtown, officials with the FDOT discussed the proposal with the general public to close that on-ramp to make room for possible changes at the Landing.

"Part of the recommendation to close it, is to be able to expand the Landing for economic growth in the area," said Ron Tittle with the FDOT. "To create a different environment if you will."

With runners and pedestrians in mind, the FDOT has already laid out the groundwork for an alternative route.

"If you're at the roundabout in front of the Landing, instead of heading east and getting on the ramp, you'd go up Laura Street, cut over on Bay Street and then get on the Main Street Bridge at Bay Street/Main Street intersection, then head south across the bridge," Jim Knight of the FDOT explained.

Although simple in theory, this alternative route would amount to an extra three blocks of travel to get to the bridge.

But still, some runners aren't happy with the idea, saying the change could be a safety hazard.

"Not only would this mean a greater distance that commuters and walkers and cyclists would have to take, but they would also have to confront several more intersections in order to get into the downtown," said Christopher Burns of the Jacksonville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

FDOT officials said despite the ideas they're laying out, nothing has been decided. They said safety is the No. 1 priority and they're still working out how much the project would cost and who would pay for it.

FDOT officials said they still want to hear from the public. If you weren't able to make it out to the meeting Thursday, you can email your comments to will.lyons@dot.state.fl.us.


About the Author:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.