New Bridge Street in Downtown Jacksonville reopens after years of construction

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - One of downtown Jacksonville’s main roads is finally open to traffic once more following years of construction and delays.

Drivers in Jacksonville can finally use New Bridge Street once more.

Construction on New Bridge Street started in March 2023. On Friday, drivers can be seen going towards downtown, which is a relief for many.

“It’s super exciting,” said Myra Rademacher, who owns Bristo 1940 Downtown. “I remember this a few years ago. I said this is going to be something big even before I was going to be down here.”

Rademacher has been in the area for years. She says that with the street opening up again, foot traffic has been more frequent.

“Anytime there is something new and exciting, they want to know all about it,” Rademacher told WITN. “I get lots of people every day stopping by and asking ‘what’s going on?’”

While new businesses are coming to the area, businesses that have been there a while say they have seen a difference in business. Jenna McQuay works at Southern Roots Salon. She says during construction, getting to work was difficult.

“We were having to take a lot of backroads and detours,” said McQuay. “It was changing every day, so one day we’d be okay going one way, then the next day we would have to go a whole different way. It would affect getting to work in a timely manner.”

During the years, some improvements of the downtown area include storm drainage, sidewalks, streetscapes, and more.

Jacksonville Communications Manager Lisa Miller told WITN there are a few items to complete including pavement markings and spotlights. She says the road will not be completely closed during that time.

Deputy City Manager Ron Massey says the changes will benefit downtown.

“We hope this stimulates a revitalization of some to the area here in downtown,” WITN was told by Massy.

As cars continue to make their way towards downtown, Rademacher hopes this allows people to make new memories.

“The community loves it,” said Rademacher. “It’s going to be a good, safe place for them that they can walk to or drive to.”

The city says the project will be complete by the end of the month. The original completion date was December 2024.