Portions of Forsyth and Adams streets in Downtown Jacksonville will begin closing for resurfacing as soon as this week as part of a project to restore them to their original two-way traffic design, Downtown Investment Authority CEO Lori Boyer said Feb. 10.
Boyer said work on the two-way restorations is expected to be completed in summer 2025.
“This change will take a little adjustment and patience but will ultimately benefit street front retail, make Downtown more walkable and has been shown to increase property values,” Boyer said during a Feb. 10 media event spotlighting progress of Downtown projects.
Forsyth and Adams were among several Downtown streets that were converted to one-way traffic decades ago during a time when Jacksonville and cities across the country redesigned their traffic infrastructure to prioritize rapid movement of commuters to and from Downtown workplaces over walkability and commerce.
Work began in the spring of 2024 on the first phase of the project, which involves basic infrastructure changes such as resurfacing, restriping and installing traffic signals.
That phase is being carried out under a $4.6 million revised contract approved in October 2023 with Jacksonville-based EltonAlan Inc., an engineering and construction firm.
Boyer said work on underground rewiring and installation of signals and signs is nearly complete.
The second phase will involve work on moving curbs and widening portions of sidewalks.
Goals include slowing down traffic and making the streets safer for walking, cycling and other modes of transportation like scooters.
The project is designed to allow businesses to benefit from increased foot traffic and patronage by motorists who are more likely to notice streetside storefronts while traveling at lower speeds.
Streets connecting Downtown to highways and bridges, such as Main, Union and State streets, will remain one-way.