Beginning the second full week of October, motorists will notice a number of changes to the Bay Street corridor designed to ease traffic flow on a daily basis, but especially during downtown events.

 

Electronic message boards will be put into place to notify travelers about upcoming activities. 

 

 

Sixteen newly-installed mast arms feature lights which will regularly display a red X and green arrow indicating the proper direction of travel (two eastbound and two westbound lanes). 

 

Officials will change the direction of the lane configuration to aid in moving traffic toward or away from the entertainment complex  for an event—known as the ”reversible lane application.”  In addition, the arrows may be changed to facilitate street blockage on Bay Street for “block party” type events like those held during the Super Bowl XXXIX celebration. 

 

While police officers and cones will still be needed, the device allows for the change of traffic flow with the flip of a switch rather than relying solely on manpower and equipment to block areas off hours in advance of an event.

 

Beginning Sunday, Oct. 11, Bay Street will be milled, resurfaced and restriped from Main Street to Tallyrand Drive.  The activity will be conducted over four consecutive nights from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. to help mitigate its affect on traffic.* 

 

Also at this time, the newly-installed mast arm lights on Bay Street will be activated, but will operate in the standard traffic configuration (two eastbound lanes and two westbound lanes) on a daily basis.

 

The new “reversible lane application” will be activated for the Jaguars home game Sunday, Oct. 18, with most Bay Street lanes directed toward the stadium prior to the game and away from the stadium following the game. This effort will be coordinated with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to ensure safe access and egress by motorists and pedestrians.

 

 

In addition, following the resurfacing work, the portion of Bay Street between Ocean and Newnan streets will be changed from three one-way westbound lanes to a two-way configuration (one eastbound and westbound lanes, plus a turn lane). 

 

Further, this new configuration will allow motorists to make a right-hand turn onto Bay Street from the Main Street Bridge exit ramp at all times— not just on event days.

 

 

In April 2009, the city began a project involving the installation of 16 mast arms, one new traffic signal and streetscaping on Bay Street. The $3.5 million project was funded by the city’s capital improvement plan. 

 

In addition to the benefit of mitigated congestion, this system is another tool to help attract and retain major events, which have a huge economic impact on the community.  In effect, those who may avoid coming downtown for events because of traffic concerns or confusion about one-way streets may now be more inclined.   In turn, this presents a new potential customer base for downtown businesses.

 

*The schedule is subject to change based on weather and unexpected events.