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Wednesday Town Hall Will Present Hart Ramps Teardown Plans

Demolition of the raised expressway that runs along Metropolitan Park to the Hart Bridge is expected to get underway soon.

The city has scheduled a town hall beeing on Wednesday, Jan. 29,  from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., where officials will be on hand with maps, ready to answer questions about what the demolition will mean for area motorists.

It will be held at the Jacksonville Elks Lodge at 1855 West Road

A $25.45 million bid from Jacksonville-based J.B. Coxwell Contracting Inc. to demolish part of the elevated Hart Bridge expressway and construct new ramp connections is headed to Mayor Lenny Curry’s desk for final approval, according to WJCT News partner the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Map traffic changes
Credit City of Jacksonville
This map illustrates the planned traffic changes that will result after the Hart Bridge's ramps are demolished.

The project is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2021.

The city said in a legislative summary the project's purpose is to promote development of the Shipyards properties and the proposed Lot J mixed-use development and the city’s Metropolitan Park, according to the Daily Record.

Related: Jaguars Already Planning Lot J's Phase II; Total Investment Could Hit $700 Million

Mayor Lenny Curry and the Jacksonville Jaguars have previously said they are close to signing an agreement for the first phase of the Lot J redevelopment.

Rendering of the proposed redevelopment of Lot J and the nearby area.
Credit City of Jacksonville / Via Jacksonville Daily Record
/
Via Jacksonville Daily Record
This conceptional rendering was released by the city in August 2019. It shows new development near the river, where the Hart expressway currently is. The Jaguars have proposed redeveloping the area and are seeking city incentives.

Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.

Bill joined WJCT News in September of 2017 from The Florida Times-Union, where he served in a variety of multimedia journalism positions.