JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new traffic pattern at one of Jacksonville’s busiest intersections has caused problems for some drivers.
First Coast News has received calls from viewers about confusion and near accidents at the median U-turn [MUT] at Southside and Beach boulevard.
The Florida Department of Transportation said it has gathered feedback since the U-turn opened in May and says it is working on several improvements at the intersection.
FDOT said it plans to increase street lighting at night, add additional signage identifying the split between Eve Drive and the Beach Boulevard median U-turn to Southside Boulevard North, apply final pavement markings and add louvers for traffic signal head on Beach Boulevard.
Louvers are slats that go on the traffic signal that act as one-way mirrors. The idea is drivers are only supposed to see the light when they are properly positioned in the correct direction.
FDOT says the MUT has helped ease congestion in the area.
“It’s a lot smoother driving through there, but if you haven’t drove through there yet you’re going to be a little confused," Laura McGugin, said.
McGugin works near the intersection and said she was confused the first time she drove through the traffic pattern.
“I had my mom riding with me it’s very confusing I wasn’t sure which way to go thankfully she knows her way around the city, so she helped guide me through it the first time it was very confusing but now it’s pretty convenient."
FDOT says it hopes to have the enhancements done by November.