Court Street reopens early in downtown Jacksonville after two-way switch

Downtown Jacksonville drivers got an early break this week: Court Street reopened Thursday, July 16, 2026, after being closed since April 20 for a streetscape and roadway project.

WITN reported the work had originally been expected to continue through September, but the project wrapped up months ahead of schedule.

Timeline: April 20 closure to the Thursday reopening

WITN reports the closure began April 20, 2026. In the run-up to reopening, the city expected the project to stretch into later summer, with completion targeted for mid-September.

Traffic change: two-way access after median removal

One of the biggest day-to-day differences is that crews converted part of Court Street to two-way traffic.

In late June, WITN reported the conversion happened by removing the median, turning another section of Court Street into a two-way street rather than the one-way pattern used during construction.

Why the “brick look” became stamped, dyed concrete

Early in the project, the city planned to remove brick laid in the 1990s and replace it with standard pavement.

Some downtown business owners objected to losing the historic brick appearance. WITN reported the city later reached a compromise by replacing the brick with stamped, dyed concrete meant to replicate the look of brick.

Cost and scope: what changed, and what’s still planned

WITN reported the design change increased the project cost from $179,000 to $380,000. City Manager Joshua Ray said the funds would come from the city’s fund balance that was already allocated for the Court Street project.

Separately, the City of Jacksonville’s FY 2026–2035 Capital Improvement Plan describes a broader “Court Street Infrastructure & Streetscape Project” (Project #EN-27-001). The plan says the work is intended to realign Court Street between Chaney Avenue and Marine Boulevard and improve the corridor for pedestrians and commercial activity. It envisions enhancements such as wider sidewalks, ADA improvements, enhanced lighting, planters median, utility burial, and water/sewer improvements.

What that means for residents: The July 16 reopening reflects the roadway work covered by the recent updates—but other streetscape elements in the larger multi-year effort can still influence turns, staging, and access nearby as construction continues.

What to watch next

With Court Street back open, expect drivers to find the two-way operation in the portion covered by this phase. If you’re traveling through the corridor, keep an eye on posted signage and on-site lane adjustments at intersections along the broader Court Street area while remaining streetscape work continues.

Bottom line: Court Street reopened early on July 16, switching part of the roadway to two-way traffic and using stamped, dyed concrete as a compromise after concerns about removing the historic brick appearance.

Sources

• WITN: Court Street reopens months ahead of schedule in Jacksonville
• City of Jacksonville, NC CIP: Court Street Infrastructure & Streetscape Project (EN-27-001)