Designated Downtown lanes off I-95 imminent, with Overland Bridge project nearing an end

Jacksonville, FL — It’s news that Downtown drivers have been waiting for.

The Florida Department of Transportation says they're expecting to open the newly rebuilt lanes of I-95 northbound at the Overland Bridge project early next month. The southbound traffic shift will remain in effect for now.

The lanes that drivers have been using since early 2016, while the construction takes place, will now become what the FDOT calls collector/distributor lanes. What that means is those lanes will still be open, but will only drop off in Downtown, instead of reconnecting to the main highway after the bridges exit.

In essence, once the newly rebuilt lanes of I-95 northbound open, you will only use them if you intend to go to the Fuller Warren Bridge or beyond. If you want to get off at the Main Street Bridge, Acosta Bridge, or Prudential exit, you will take the collector/distributor lanes. The exit point for the collector/distributor lanes will remain the same, at the San Diego Road overpass, north of Emerson.

The same general concept will take effect when the southbound lanes reopen as well. In all, the FDOT expects the Overland Bridge project to be completed this fall.

The changes are designed to make traffic flow more safely and efficiently. The overhaul also addressed the fact that the highway was old and built at a time that traffic capacity was much lighter. In the months ahead of the start of the project, there were holes frequently opening on I-95 in that area because of age and traffic factors.

The FDOT has maintained a project website, where drivers can get further details about the changes.