Funding secured to begin on 30-mile Emerald Trail in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville is one step closer to having a 30-mile urban trail through the city.

Tyrica Moore's business is feet away from the S-line Trail.

"I do see quite a few people that use the bike trail including myself," she said.

She and city leaders are hoping to see more families on it as it expands into more than a dozen neighborhoods in the urban core.

On Monday, Groundwork Jacksonville announced it has secured funding to break ground on one section of the 30-mile Emerald Trail.

It will mark the start of a 10-year project that will connect dozens of neighborhoods to parks, schools and the river.

Action News Jax took a look at FHP data and found there were 285 crashes involving bicyclists in Duval County in 2018. Ten were fatalities.

TRENDING: 

We also found 471 pedestrians were hurt in crashes that same year and 32 of them died.

"You're much safer on the bike trail than the main road," Moore said.

Action New Jax showed her plans for the Emerald Trail. She said she hopes it draws more people to businesses like hers along the route.

"It could definitely be a pro for a business like ours," she said. "I think it'll be good for the city, especially this neighborhood as long as you put more information out about it."

Groundbreaking is expected to happen in October 2020 with the first part of the trail complete in September 2021.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group