New Streetcar Idea Proposed at Jacksonville City Council Meeting

At the October 11th Jacksonville City Council meeting Jim Watson, owner of Traffic Signs proposed a new streetcar project for Jacksonville. Watson is looking for the city to be a participant in this venture. The proposal would include six lines:

1. Heroes Line starting at 11th Set NE and heading south on AL Hwy 21 to the end of the line at Henry Road SW.
2. Drayton Line starting at HWY 21 N, east on 11th Street NW then north on 3rd Ave NE ending at Seven Ave NE.
3. Jacksonville Line starting at Hwy 31 N, east on 5th St NE then north on Church Ave NE, East on 7th Ave NE, west on Francis Street E to come back to Hwy 21 N.
4. Gamecock Line starting on Hwy 21 N, turning west on Rudy Abbot Highway then such on either Forney Ave NW or Park Ave NW, then east on Mountain Street NW ending at Hwy 21. This line will also include Trustee Stree/Circle and a number of access roads.
5. Martin Luther King Jr. Line starting at Hwy 21 S, then east on Vann Street SE, turning south and westing on Gardner Drive SE, then re-joining Hwy 21 S.
6. Golden Eagle Line starting at the intersection of the Heroes Line S and Henry Rad SW. It heads west on Henry Road SW to First and Second Ave SW, then continues west on George Douthit Dr. SW. If needed George Douthit Dr SW can go east connecting back to Hwy 21 S. Once at the end of George Douthit Dr. SW (at the Jacksonville schools) the line will turn north onto James Hopkins Road SW, then turning right onion Alexandria-Jacksonville Hwy/Alexandria Rd SW. The line will connect to the Gamecock Line on Mountain Street NW at the historic railroad depot.

Mr. Watson laid out environmental benefits, benefits for citizens, benefits to the city of Jacksonville, benefits to JSU, gains for local businesses, and intangible benefits such as a unique experience for visitors.

No action was taken by the council regarding this issue, but Mr. Watson gave much to think about and answered all questions.  He currently has a website that answer more questions.  If you would like to learn more please visit www.goldeneaglegamecock.com.