Jacksonville, FL — Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry’s vision of removing the Hart Bridge ramp into downtown could receive a significant boost due to $12.5 million in funding tucked in the Florida budget.
Senator Aaron Bean filed a bill that funds the project. It’s known as the Talleyrand Connector, part of a larger freight initiative to improve freight access in Northeast Florida by improving freight connectivity to and from the Interstate 95 system.
“I appreciate the 12.5 million appropriation for Jacksonville. It would not be possible without the support of Chairman Bradley, Speaker Corcoran, Representative Cummings and Senator Bean”, Curry said to Action News Jax Anchor John Bachman on Thursday.
Mayor Curry first introduced the idea in November 2016 when he asked Duval-area state lawmakers for $50 million to tear down the Hart Bridge ramp elevated over Bay Street.
Curry argued that the ramp is not just a problem because of its age, but because of its design as well.
The Mayor says he’s planning to go to Washington D.C. next week to lobby for a federal grant that could total $25 million. That would leave just over $13 million for the city of Jacksonville to fund.
The Mayor said the overpass was built in 1967 and it needs to be removed because of safety and traffic issues. Along with that, Curry said removing the overpass could help as plans move forward to develop the area. @ActionNewsJax
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) March 9, 2018
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