The "North Main Street bypass" as it would be called, would serve as an important element in the city's efforts to effectively manage the flow of goods and materials into and out of JAXPORT.

It's also projected to reduce rail traffic on the current routes that bisect neighborhoods and cross Main Street/US 17 on the northside.

Congresswoman Corrine Brown said, "This is a perfect example of good government in action: true constituent service. By working together, we have come up with a win-win situation: we will increase economic development at JAXPORT and protect the local community from a potentially severe traffic increase."

Mayor John Peyton applauded the plan and said, if managed properly, international trade will become one of the largest economic drivers in this region.

Current activities at JAXPORT support more than 50,000 jobs in Northeast Florida and inject $3 billion into Northeast Florida's economy each year. 

Construction on a new $220 million container terminal for Japanese shipping giant Mitsui O.S.K. Lines will be completed later this year, opening new trade lanes to Asia and Europe. In addition, contract talks are nearly finished on another new terminal for the Korean shipping firm Hanjin, a facility that could open in 2011.

The Florida Department of Transportation is also beginning an $11.8 million construction project later this month that will lengthen the ramps on State Road 9A southbound to Heckscher Drive allowing for additional capacity at the intersection and permit the quicker movement of traffic exiting 9A southbound at Heckscher Drive.