by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Well aware of the highly inflated traffic that will make its way to Jacksonville for the 2005 Super Bowl, representatives from the Super Bowl Host Committee say they’ll be working closely with local agencies, including the Jacksonville Transportation Authority the sheriff’s office and the Florida Department of Transportation in an effort to ease congestion in and around downtown.
“It’s going to be extremely important for us to rely on the local experts in the community,” said Reid Sigmon, vice president of operations for the Host Committee. “I’ve only been here for about a month, but I’ve been very impressed by Jacksonville’s level of commitment to the Super Bowl and the willingness of the local agencies here to work together. My primary function will be that of a facilitator of communication among the various groups and our subcommittees will continue in those efforts.”
Sigmon served in a similar capacity for the 2001 Super Bowl in Tampa.
DOT spokesperson Mike Goldman confirmed that some discussion with the Host Committee has already taken place and “a running dialogue will continue for some time.”
“We’re definitely aware of what’s coming our way,” said Goldman, “and we will work to the best of our abilities to account for it.”
Sigmon believes a more permanent logistical outline will be put into place by mid-2004 while Goldman added that further input from the Tampa DOT will continue to be gathered locally.
“We’re working carefully with them,” said Goldman, “and we will review the dos and don’ts in-house.”
Goldman also confirmed ongoing as construction projects in downtown and surrounding districts would be halted during the “three-week game window” to help absorb the initial and subsequent waves of traffic. Sigmon said park-and-ride systems will be coordinated through the JTA to further relieve congestion and parking concerns downtown.
Water taxis will likely be used to coordinate Northbank and Southbank activities.
“Our plans will continue to evolve, but I think it says a lot that we’re already thinking about how we are going to get people from point A to point B this far out,” said Sigmon. “I know the goal has been to get as much done as possible during this first year and the NFL has been proactive in offering assistance as well. It will be important for us to identify areas that need extra work as quickly possible, and I think we’re doing a good job of that so far.”