Bay Street Traffic Will Now Flow Both Ways

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Drivers coming off the Main Street Bridge know the drill.  There is no right turn on to Bay Street. 

Well, that's about to change.

Starting Wednesday morning, traffic will flow in both directions on Bay Street from Ocean Street toward the stadium.

"As long as I can remember, over 30 years, it's always been one-way," said Jacksonville's Public Works Director Joey Duncan.

Duncan is in charge of making the change, which will be permanent. "We want our Downtown to be a place where you want to be, walk around and not just get run over by traffic."

The change is part of a bigger plan for Downtown, Duncan said, to make the area more business and pedestrian friendly.

While some drivers like the idea, some think it could be a little confusing. "It will be interesting," said one driver.

The Bay Street one-way switch isn't the only one drivers will have to get used to.

In 2010, Laura Street, which is one-way now, will also turn into a two-way. Independent Drive will then become two-way in front of The Landing.

The change makes some nervous, said Duncan. That's to be expected. 

"I don't think it's such a good idea," says Debra Beecham, who drives the area all the time.

While Bay Street changes Wednesday, the Laura Street project will not get underway until January. The city hopes to have the bulk of the work done on Laura Street and Independent Drive by the time the Florida-Georgia game rolls around.

The Laura and Independent projects will run about $2 million.

The Bay Street lane switch was a part of the $3 million light project on Bay Street, which was unveiled in October.

FOR A MAP OF DOWNTOWN PROJECTS, CLICK HERE.

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