GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – University Avenue is going to look a lot different thanks to federal funding to increase the thoroughfare’s safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.
In 2018, the Gainesville City Commission adopted a Vision Zero Policy, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040. On Thursday, the Commission officially accepted an award from the U.S. Department of Transportation to help reach this goal.
“This is a big deal,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward. “There are more than 400 cities in Florida, and we are one of only three to receive a Safe Streets and Roads for All implementation grant, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act.”
These funds, plus a $2 million local match, will be used to transform an approximately four-mile section of University Avenue from Northwest 12th Street to Southeast 31st Street into what the U.S. Department of Transportation calls a “complete street.” Plans include dedicated bicycle lanes, raised crosswalks, public transit improvements and overall slower traffic.
The construction won’t impact drivers anytime soon, though. The first phase of the project is projected to begin in 2026 with resurfacing and restriping the road. Right now, the City of Gainesville is still working with the Florida Department of Transportation and the University of Florida on drafting designs and studying the area.
This study is also assessing potential improvements for other areas, including a shorter stretch of road along West 13th Street between Northwest Eighth Avenue and Southwest 16th Avenue. Gainesville plans to continue involving its community in these developments with opportunities to ask questions, share concerns and provide feedback about road changes.
To learn more about these community sessions, visit TransformU13.com.