JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Residents plagued by years of dangerous traffic and frequent collisions along Braddock Road are set to receive long-awaited updates regarding safety improvements tonight. District 8 City Council member Reggie Gaffney Jr., alongside a state representative, is hosting a community meeting at 6 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on Dunn Avenue to discuss the progress of critical infrastructure projects in Northwest Jacksonville.
The focal point of the discussion is the intersection of Braddock Road and Dunn Avenue, a notorious trouble spot that has seen an average of 41 crashes over the last half-decade. Following significant community pressure, the City Council Finance Committee previously approved $1.5 million in funding for Northside infrastructure, specifically earmarked to address the hazards at this location.
For many local residents, the meeting cannot come soon enough. Among those seeking answers is Jackie Curry, a homeowner who has become a living symbol of the danger posed by the intersection. Last year, a vehicle crashed into her home for the third time, leading to a partial structural collapse.
Curry, who has struggled to repair her property due to insufficient insurance coverage and the high cost of damages—estimated at $40,000—expressed a mixture of cautious optimism and exhaustion. While she noted that the recent installation of speed bumps on Braddock Road has provided a modest increase in safety, she remains eager for the promised traffic light.
“I know the traffic light is going to make the congestion and the traffic on Dunn Avenue safer,” Curry said. “I’m excited about that.”
While officials have previously indicated that the Florida Department of Transportation has a traffic signal project slated for late 2027, residents are hoping that tonight’s forum will reveal opportunities to expedite that timeline. The community has faced years of volatility at the intersection, and the meeting serves as a critical opportunity for the city to address the ongoing concerns of those who feel their lives and properties are at risk.
The meeting at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is expected to be well-attended as neighbors look to hold local leaders accountable for the implementation of these safety measures. Beyond the light, residents are also seeking information on further traffic-calming strategies to mitigate the high-speed transit that has terrorized the neighborhood for years.
As the construction timeline looms, the focus remains on whether the $1.5 million in city funding will be enough to finally curb the frequency of accidents that have scarred both the landscape and the peace of mind of the residents of Northwest Jacksonville.
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