ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla — At least one pedestrian or cyclist is killed every month in Duval County, according to First Coast News’s count.
The latest person killed was a 20-year-old man hit by two cars while walking on Philips Highway this weekend, Florida Highway Patrol said.
Work is underway to make part of Mayport Road safer and on Monday, Florida Department of Transportation heard from some residents at a virtual public meeting. On Wednesday there will be an in-person meeting at Atlantic City Hall at 4:30 p.m. with a presentation and public comment at 6 p.m.
The plan on Mayport Road, between Atlantic Boulevard and Dutton Island Road West, is to get rid of one lane on either side of traffic and add more space for walking and biking. Some people who live and work there said there are some additional changes they want to see.
“It’s about the people, thousands, hundreds of people who ride and they bike out there and they need their safety,” said Moe who works at Dano’s Diner on Mayport Road and only wanted to go by his first name.
Moe said cars on Mayport Road fly by.
“I usually am in my restaurant overnight and I saw a lot of people driving crazy,” Moe said.
This is also a concern brought up during the FDOT meeting Monday.
“Plaza is our way to the beach and to access parks and businesses,” said one woman. “I take my two young boys to these park every week. We would love to be able to bike there but the speed is still going to be out of control on Mayport.”
FDOT Spokesperson Hampton Ray said the ideas from public meetings are vital for the project. He addressed the speed issue with First Coast News.
“When you reassign lanes, typically the speed limit can be reduced,” Ray said.
Ray said they determined through traffic studies there won’t be a “significant impact” to traffic by going from three lanes down to two on either side. Plans also include a bike path and, divided by a median, a shared use path.
“A traditional sidewalk’s about five feet,” Ray said. “This is gonna be about 12.”
Medians and more area for pedestrians are two solutions mentioned in a new report by Smart Growth America. It finds nearly half of the 20 deadliest cities for pedestrians are in Florida with Jacksonville at number 15.
Construction on the $11.6 million project could start next fall and is set to last about three years.