News Summary
Jacksonville is facing ongoing traffic disruptions due to a malfunctioning traffic signal on Southside Boulevard. Local concerns have arisen regarding the inconsistent response from authorities during outages. The Florida Department of Transportation has acknowledged the issue, attributing it to outdated components. While a significant construction project aims to improve traffic conditions, it does not address the faulty signal, leaving drivers to face uncertainty and safety issues on their daily commutes.
Jacksonville is experiencing frequent chaos on the roads due to a malfunctioning traffic signal on Southside Boulevard. This specific signal, which manages both Southside Boulevard and the merging lanes from a service road just south of Butler Boulevard, malfunctions about once a week, leading to frustration for many drivers in the area.
Local resident Daniel B. has raised significant concerns regarding the reliability of this traffic signal. He noted that when the signal fails, there is often no response from the appropriate authorities to resolve the issue, and police are not present to direct traffic during these malfunctions. This lack of immediate assistance can result in dangerous driving conditions and increased traffic disruptions.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has acknowledged the ongoing problems associated with the traffic signal. They attribute these malfunctions to outdated signal components. Previously, FDOT had replaced a component in an effort to address the issue; however, despite these attempts, the problems persist. In response to feedback from local residents, FDOT plans to reach out to city traffic engineers with the aim of enhancing the reliability of the signal.
Approximately 45,600 vehicles travel daily on Southside Boulevard in this section, with around 2,200 vehicles also utilizing the service road. These numbers illustrate the heavy traffic flow in this area, underscoring the urgency of resolving the signal malfunctions, especially during peak commuting hours.
Complicating the situation, the area is currently undergoing construction as part of a $29 million project to resurface the road from Butler Boulevard to Philips Highway at the Deerwood Park Interchange. This project is intended to improve overall traffic conditions in the vicinity. Notable improvements will include a combined right-turn lane for access to Skinner Parkway, a through lane leading to the service road, and a double left U-turn south of the intersection.
However, it is important to note that while the resurfacing project aims to enhance traffic flow and safety features, the contract for the project does not include provisions for the replacement of the malfunctioning traffic signal. The roadway improvements are projected to be completed by late 2025, a timeline that could impact traffic conditions in the meantime.
Community members hope that the planned cooperation between FDOT and city traffic engineers will lead to timely solutions that improve the reliability of the signal and ensure safer driving conditions. Until then, drivers navigating this busy intersection may continue to face challenges due to the frequency of malfunctions and the lack of immediate intervention during these occurrences. As the construction project progresses, residents will be keenly observing whether the changes will mitigate these ongoing issues.
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Additional Resources
- KLTV: City Tyler to Add Traffic Signal on Old Jacksonville Highway
- WNCT: Several Traffic Lights Not Working in Jacksonville Due to Power Outage
- Jacksonville.com: FDOT Asked to Add Crosswalk in Jacksonville
- Wikipedia: Traffic Signal
- First Coast News: Residents Frustrated with Malfunctioning Traffic Lights
- Google News: Traffic Signal Malfunction Jacksonville
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
