Main Street Bridge closed for One Spark?

[Tacachale]

So the Main Street Bridge was closed to bikes and pedestrians tonight. I had to drive downtown and fight traffic to pick folks up, a shame considering we're within walking distance if the bridge were in order (the Skyway is running late, but doesn't take bikes and is running at a backup even on Wednesday). The bridge was also closed entirely last weekend despite an Armada game, a Suns game, the Can Doo festival, and a little holiday called EASTER. It's only going to be worse this weekend, does anyone know what the deal is? The closings are getting tiresome.

[coredumped]

I noticed it's open Sunday mornings, maybe we could call someone at FBC, they've got the pull.

More seriously, that's a real shame, lots of tourists walk it to get pictures of the skyline and go to friendship Park.

[Tacachale]

Apparently a worker was yelling at aspiring pedestrians that he'd call Homeland Security if they tried walking over the bridge. Nice way to welcome people to our downtown during the biggest nights of the year. Very frustrating; one would think they'd have learned their lesson after the totally avoidable traffic disaster that happened during the last USA soccer game.

[tufsu1]

does anyone know what the deal is? The closings are getting tiresome.

FDOT is finishing up their project, but it should have been put on hold during One Spark

And yes, as a downtown resident, it is very tiresome.  For the past month or so, the bridge has generally been closed from 6pm - 6am every weeknight (except Wednesday of course)....and then from Friday at 6pm to Sunday at 6am.

[acme54321]

I thought I read somewhere that the bridge was supposed to be open during One Spark?

[Tacachale]

does anyone know what the deal is? The closings are getting tiresome.

FDOT is finishing up their project, but it should have been put on hold during One Spark

And yes, as a downtown resident, it is very tiresome.  For the past month or so, the bridge has generally been closed from 6pm - 6am every weeknight (except Wednesday of course)....and then from Friday at 6pm to Sunday at 6am.

I feel you. At this point I don't even try to bike to Downtown anymore and drive there a lot less than I used to. The exact opposite of how things ought to be.

I thought I read somewhere that the bridge was supposed to be open during One Spark?

Oddly, the car lanes heading *out* of downtown, at least, seemed to be open. It was just anyone trying to walk, bike, or get *to* One Spark by the most reasonable Southbank bridge that were stopped and threatened with a call to Homeland Security.

[copperfiend]

I am more surprised when it is open

[hiddentrack]

Seems to be a lot of confusion lately with the Main Street Bridge. The last two weekends I saw tweets saying the bridge would be closed all weekend, but then driving home after the Armada games (3/28 and 4/4) I noticed the bridge was open (at least leaving downtown, didn't make a note of traffic coming in...).

[acme54321]

I thought I read somewhere that the bridge was supposed to be open during One Spark?

Oddly, the car lanes heading *out* of downtown, at least, seemed to be open. It was just anyone trying to walk, bike, or get *to* One Spark by the most reasonable Southbank bridge that were stopped and threatened with a call to Homeland Security.

Both sides too?  They usually have one side or the other open for pedestrians.  Although the other night the bridge was up and they had both closed.  That was a PITA to try to ride bikes over the ultra narrow sidewalks over the Acosta.  I'd have been on the shoulder but my wife won't play that game.

[dbjax]

Communication is never government's strong suit. It is really hard to get the information to people, but they should have done a better job for this event. Signage, while costly, can greatly improve the situation. Here are two resources to help...

http://www.nflroads.com/_layouts/FDOT%20D2%20Northeast%20Florida%20Road%20Construction/AlertDetails.aspx?aid=26&sid=All

http://www.coj.net/departments/sheriff-s-office/patrol-division/main-street-bridge-maintenance.aspx

[edjax]

Communication is never government's strong suit. It is really hard to get the information to people, but they should have done a better job for this event. Signage, while costly, can greatly improve the situation. Here are two resources to help...

http://www.nflroads.com/_layouts/FDOT%20D2%20Northeast%20Florida%20Road%20Construction/AlertDetails.aspx?aid=26&sid=All

http://www.coj.net/departments/sheriff-s-office/patrol-division/main-street-bridge-maintenance.aspx

Not very clear really. According to these the bridge should be open to vehicle traffic. Yes?

[dbjax]

Not very clear really. According to these the bridge should be open to vehicle traffic. Yes?

From the project page, there is this:

Single lane closings will be allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Full bridge and directional closures will occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. except on Wednesday and Sunday nights when they will begin at 9 p.m. There will be about 25 weekends when the bridge will be fully closed from 9 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Sunday

So yes the bridge is open during the day, although with reduced lane capacity.

[Tacachale]

What a mess.

[tufsu1]

from what I'm told the east side is open to bike/ped traffic.  What is odd is that the west side had been closed for many months but opened a few weeks ago.  Perhaps they have some final punch list items to deal with.