News
Park Street Paves the Way!
Ever heard the term “road diet” and wondered if your street was about to go on a crash course with a kale smoothie and a tiny treadmill? Well, buckle up, because it’s actually a super cool transportation strategy!
Imagine this: your typical busy road, packed with car lanes. A road diet comes along and says, “Hey, let’s trim down those lanes a bit!” It’s like giving the road a makeover, shedding some of its vehicle only bulk to make room for other awesome stuff. Think spacious bike lanes for cruising, wider sidewalks perfect for a leisurely stroll, or even some handy on-street parking.
Why call it a “diet”? Because just like a person trying to get healthier, the road slims down its vehicle capacity to make way for a more balanced and vibrant street life. The main goal? To make the road safer, improve traffic flow (yes, really!), and totally boost the quality of life for everyone around. It’s all about encouraging more people to walk, bike, and actually enjoy their journey, all while potentially slowing down those speed demons. So, it’s less about deprivation and more about creating a happier, healthier street for everyone!
Brooklyn’s Brand-New Look
In the lively Brooklyn neighborhood in Jacksonville, FL, we’ve just wrapped up exciting roadway upgrades. The City of Jacksonville recently celebrated the completion of the Park Street Road Diet. A ceremony marked the end of the nearly $11 million construction on Park Street from Forest to Water streets. These enhancements will significantly boost pedestrian and bicycle connectivity while bolstering safety for everyone. Think of it as giving the streets a makeover worthy of a city sidewalk fashion show.
This fantastic project now features newly installed sharrows (those helpful shared-lane markings), convenient on-street parking, wonderfully wider sidewalks, and narrower roads for safer crossings. The City also added beautiful street trees for shade and charm, with an eye towards accommodating future sidewalk cafes. Our infrastructure team completed essential work, including new traffic signalization, pedestrian crossings, decorative street lighting, and JEA underground distribution.
Thanks to this project, Park Street went from four lanes down to two, gaining wider sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes.
Overcoming Challenges for a Brighter Future
Bringing Brooklyn’s vision to life wasn’t without its challenges, largely due to the age of the roadway and its proximity to historic buildings. However, through close collaboration with our client JB Coxwell and our safety team, we ensured smooth and safe operations every step of the way. Regular site visits by our management team, involving all parties, helped us maintain best practices, clear communication, and precise scheduling.
A First for Jacksonville: The Two-Way Cycle Track is Here!
For the first time ever, our city now boasts a two-way cycle track, also known as a bikeway. This is a separate path designed exclusively for bicyclists, keeping them safely away from car traffic. This new bikeway connects key neighborhoods like Brooklyn, Five Points, Riverside, LaVilla, and the Emerald Trail, significantly improving connectivity for cyclists.
And for those wondering about parking, the City of Jacksonville has confirmed access to parking at night and on weekends in the Florida Blue garage on Forest Street. City leaders are already excited about more projects like this in the pipeline, and we are excited to continue to be a part of these projects that are transforming our city!