Construction began Monday on the Main Street Bridge as part of Jacksonville’s Riverfront Plaza Main Street Bridge Nub Removal project, bringing lane closures and pedestrian detours that are expected to remain in place through early next year.
Under the project, southbound traffic leaving downtown Jacksonville on the Main Street Bridge has been reduced to a single lane, while the southbound pedestrian walkway on the bridge is closed. Northbound vehicle lanes remain open as normal.
The work is part of Phase 2 of Jacksonville’s Riverfront Plaza redevelopment project. The bridge improvements will ultimately help create a pedestrian walkway connection as part of the larger riverfront transformation, which city leaders have said is expected to be completed in late 2027 or 2028.
Traffic appeared to move smoothly around midday Monday despite concerns from some commuters but back ups were worse during the 5 o’clock commute.
Some downtown workers said they are concerned about how the lane reduction could affect traffic during peak travel times and major events.
“Downtown Jacksonville can get crazy during rush hour so you add in the fact that one of the primary bridges for crossing the river is going to be down, I don’t know if that means leaving 30 minutes earlier, or leaving a little later but I mean certainly around this area it’s going to be tough especially Jags games, things like that. So I have my concerns but they have to get work done so it is what it is,” said Nate Kauffman, who works downtown.
Gavin Hayden, another downtown worker who regularly uses the bridge, said he plans to adjust his travel schedule if necessary.
“I think for me it’s just gonna be monitoring the impacts and then kind of choosing my departure time accordingly,” Hayden said.
The pedestrian closure also caught some people by surprise Monday. Several people stopped at the walkway entrance after discovering the route across the bridge was no longer accessible.
The city has established a pedestrian detour for people traveling between the Northbank and Southbank. According to maps released by the city, pedestrians will be directed around the closure using Independent Drive before reconnecting with the route to the Southbank.
Additional traffic impacts are planned later this week. City officials said both southbound lanes on the bridge will close beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday while crews install a barrier wall. One southbound lane is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Friday.
City leaders anticipate the current phase of construction will be completed by Jan. 30, 2027.