Tearing down the Main Street Bridge on-ramp near the Jacksonville Landing might be considered a win for the Downtown venue’s development.
For pedestrians, though, it might end up being a loss.
“If they take the ramp away, people will have to go into traffic to go onto the bridge,” said Doug Allred, owner of 1st Place Sports. “I feel like it’s a safety issue.”
The Florida Department of Transportation hosted an open house on the proposed project Thursday at the Hyatt. Tearing down the ramp would allow more access to the river and more land for any proposed Landing redevelopment.
The idea gained traction during a December public forum on the Landing’s redevelopment. Months later, the city requested the state transportation department review the concept.
As much as it could help the Landing, it would drastically affect pedestrians, Allred said. A loop comprising the Acosta and Main Street bridges and in front of the Landing has become one of the most popular routes because of its relative safety and elevation changes, he said. If the on-ramp were taken away, pedestrians would be forced to look elsewhere for bridge access.
Pedestrians already will be affected in the coming months by bridge construction. The west walkway — the one most heavily used by pedestrians — will be closed once the east walkway is opened around the first week in October.
Allred suggested that in the on-ramp’s place, an elevated walkway should run parallel to Independent Drive and hook up to the bridge. Doing so would allow the needed space and accommodate pedestrians, he said.
“If you take this out for private enterprise, then you have to make it accessible the same way as before,” he said.
That idea and others could end up heading back to the drawing board with department engineers.
Part of the process for such a project includes public feedback, said Ron Tittle, a department spokesman. Those who were not able to attend can still offer their feedback and ideas through the department’s website.
He said the department had received about 50 emails, with most against removing the ramp.
Tittle said there were no early cost estimates for the removal project because designs would dictate those.
Those plans likely would head to the Downtown Investment Authority.
“It’s an opportunity to hear from the public,” said Aundra Wallace, the authority’s CEO. “It’s a long process.”
If it’s determined the ramp should come down, Wallace said walkability and accessibility would have to be reviewed and addressed.
As for possibly funding the city side of the project, Wallace said there wasn’t money in the DIA’s budget for that. He would not rule out a contribution of some form, but only after detailed conversations.
(904) 356-2466