FDOT: New traffic shift in place on the East Beltway South at SR 9-B

Jacksonville FL — It will be a subtle change on your next drive through Jacksonville's southside and another step towards completing the East Beltway Express Lanes project. The Florida Department of Transportation says a new traffic shift went in place over the weekend as you approach State Road 9-B on the East Beltway south.

Hampton Ray with FDOT says there will be two lanes going on 9-B and two continuing on the East Beltway and this will be the permanent configuration for those lanes in that area.

“If you drive that area daily you had noticed some weave, but now that weave has been eliminated.” Ray says.

This new shift is part of the overall East Beltway Express Lanes project which at last check should be done by the end of 2019. Once complete there will be new tolled express lanes from Butler Boulevard south to State Road 9-B. Ray says crews are now starting to focus efforts on the interior of road, in between the lanes of the interstate. He says crews still need pour concrete, install cameras and sensors among other things before the project is complete.

Meanwhile, the West Beltway Express Lanes from I-95 to the Buckman Bridge are set to be complete later this Spring. FDOT says testing out the new toll system and road inspection are the two major projects that need to be completed before the new lanes can open to the public. Once the new lanes open up toll prices will vary depending on how many people are using the lanes.