$13 million resurfacing project begins

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – You may have noticed a road project on State Street, Union Street and Mathews Expressway.

The $13 million resurfacing project started this week. State and Union Streets from the western end of the Mathews Bridge to east of Cleveland Street at Kings Road, just west of I-95 will be resurfaced. 

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The four-mile resurfacing and improvement project also includes repairing and replacing sidewalks, upgrading handicap-accessible sidewalk ramps, emphasizing crosswalks with additional pavement markings and repairing storm drain pipes. These are improvements many say are long overdue.

 “I think anytime we're doing something like this, hopefully we’re spending money for a reason downtown. I think it's necessary to add those things in the long term,” said Taylor Casey who drives through the area.

Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway from Grant Street to Church Street will be resurfaced.

Main Street between State and Union streets will be converted from a one-way to a two-way street.

Drivers say the pay-off will be worth it but in the meantime it will be a stressful drive.

“It is a highly traveled area, especially in the morning time, afternoon, right before work starts, and get off work. It's going to be very difficult. Things get very congested but we do have a plan in place,” said Casey.

FDOT says there will be various daytime and nighttime lane closures on State and Union streets and the Mathews Expressway, as well as sidewalk closures with detours that will be in effect during the duration of the project. 

“Certainly a busy Corridor in and out of town that is important to maintain. This roadway asphalt can only last for so long with so much time,” said Ron Tittle with FDOT.

FDOT says the project will bring new life to downtown streets. 

The project is expected to be complete in spring 2017.

Lane closures on State and Union streets are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.; double lane closures are from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

On Wednesdays, closures are from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

On the Mathews Expressway, lane closures are from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. but will start an hour later on Wednesdays.

Lane closures near the Rosa Parks Transit Station will be between Julia and Laura streets from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

During the utility phase of the work, lane closures will be allowed on the weekends from Saturday at 6 a.m. to Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on State and Union streets.

However, no lanes closures are allowed on Union Street between Main and Pearl Streets from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays.