JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Partial closures began Monday on Jacksonville’s Main Street Bridge and will last until January 30.
The City of Jacksonville said only one southbound driving lane will be open and the pedestrian walkway on that side of the bridge will be closed entirely during construction.
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Heather Schatz, the City’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, said that both southbound lanes will be closed for one night, from Thursday at 9 p.m. until Friday 5 a.m., after which the bridge will return to a one-lane closure.
The purpose of the project is to make a permanent pedestrian connection from the vertical lift bridge, built in 1941, into the new Riverfront Plaza.
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The partial pedestrian closure was unexpected for walker Paris Herbin.
“I typically try to go early in the mornings a couple times a week,” Herbin said. “I happened to see some of the construction happening as I was driving by and I wasn’t actually familiar with what was happening so you’re giving me some good information to share with the people.”
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Jogging alongside Herbin was Joseph Walker. The construction has built up a sense of optimism in him.
“I’ve been here my whole life. To see downtown actually being energized, people walking around on a Tuesday after 6 p.m. is cool,” Walker said.
The city is asking drivers and walkers on the Main Street Bridge, which is officially named John T. Alsop Bridge, to expect delays and have alternate travel routes.
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