Jacksonville, FL — With the new tolled express lanes on I-295 between I-95 and the Buckman Bridge expected to open in a matter of weeks, we’re getting a detailed look at how you will actually be able to access and use them.
FULL DRIVE OF EXPRESS LANES:
Two new lanes in each direction of the Beltway have been under construction since 2014, as part of this $89 million project. The Florida Department of Transportation says the intent is to increase the capacity of the road and provide you an option for what they believe will be a more predictable commute. The lanes are being added to the existing three lanes in each direction, meaning the overall capacity in this area will be five lanes in each direction.
The new lanes are tolled at a variable rate, depending on the congestion in the lanes and other traffic conditions. They are tolled electronically, meaning you must have a transponder- like a SunPass- in order to be billed. The three non-express lanes that remain will not be tolled.
What to expect for the different approaches:
Using the express lanes is relatively straightforward if you’re coming from the Buckman Bridge or from before the I-95 interchange.
If you’re heading out of Orange Park on I-295 SB, the lanes pick up right after the Buckman Bridge. You should stay in the far left lane, and soon after the Bridge you will get the opportunity to exit to the left on to the two express lanes. Those will carry you through to about 1 ¼ miles before the exit to I-95 NB, and 1 ¾ miles before the exit to I-95 SB- or you can continue on I-295.
If you’re heading on I-295 from before I-95 to the Buckman Bridge, you will stay to the far left as well. That lane will automatically become one of the two express lanes, which will carry traffic all the way past San Jose Blvd and to the Buckman Bridge.
For drivers on I-95 NB or SB getting on to the Beltway, you will not need to immediately get across several lanes of traffic in order to catch the express lanes as they begin. Instead, there is a second entrance to the northbound express lanes, about one mile after I-95 traffic merges on to I-295. To use that, you must get to the far left lane, which will be second from the left, since one express lane will already be established. That second-from-the-left lane will turn in to an express lane, and dividers will separate it from the other traffic.
There is no option to exit once you are in the express lanes- you must ride them all the way to the end. Traffic getting on to the Beltway from Old St. Augustine and San Jose will not be able to use the express lanes.
More testing and inspection is still taking place, but the lanes are currently expected to open in the “late Spring”, according to FDOT.
Express lanes are also being built right now on I-295 from State Road 9B to JTB. That portion started in spring 2016