Beginning Jan. 21, the City of Jacksonville will close a portion of East Bay Street between Marsh and Lafayette streets to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic for approximately six months.  Local traffic only will be permitted beyond Liberty Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard.

This closure will allow the construction of a new bridge on East Bay Street, spanning Hogan’s Creek. This current bridge structure represents one of the greatest impediments to improving the overall flow of the creek.  By replacing it with a wider structure, drainage along Hogan’s Creek – which winds through downtown – will be improved. The project scope also includes relocating underground utilities in the immediate area. Construction is scheduled to be complete prior to the start of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 2008 season.

Traffic will be detoured as follows:
East Bay Street Westbound – A. Philip Randolph north to Duval Street, west on Duval to Liberty Street, south on Liberty Street to East Bay Street.
East Bay Street Eastbound – Liberty Street north to Union Street, east on Union onto the Mathews Bridge Expressway to A. Philip Randolph, south on A. Philip Randolph to East Bay Street.
 
The approximately $3 million project is funded in the city’s capital improvement budget and is being constructed by Lucas Marine Construction, LLC.