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FDOT talks with Jacksonville residents on Beach Boulevard proposed changes

Dale Roberts has been repairing instruments in his shop on Beach Boulevard near Southside Boulevard for more than a decade.

MORE: Neighbors raise concerns over safety on Beach Boulevard after pedestrian struck | JSO: Woman killed in hit-and-run on Beach Blvd.

On Monday, he told Action News Jax he’s had a front row seat to all the traffic trouble.

“You hear the tires screeching. You hear a crunch. You look out and there it is," he said describing the sequence that comes with each mishap. 


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According to Roberts, the problem has grown right along with the number of businesses in the area.

In January, the Florida Department of Transportation singled out the stretch of Beach Boulevard from St.Johns Bluff to Parental Home Road as one of the most dangerous in the city for pedestrians.

The department said the proposed changes will make the area safer.

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The proposal widens Beach and Southside boulevards to allow a displaced left turn and restricted crossing U-turn, along with improvements to pedestrian crosswalks and bike lanes.

Roberts said he only knows of one thing that will definitely make a difference.

“Drivers themselves have to pay more attetion," he said. "You can make all the improvements in the world and it’s not going to matter."