Road work going as anticipated
By Fred Seely
Editor
You can’t sell a home if you can’t access them. So what’s going on with Northeast Florida’s major projects?
The Florida Department of Transportation updates its report frequently and regional spokesman Mike Goldman says the state is doing everything possible to keep citizens informed.
“A lot is going on,” said Goldman. “Work is proceeding on time and on budget, but many are major projects and take a lot of time.”
The most visible - and most confusing - is the $152.3 million I-10/I-95 interchange in Jacksonville which started in 2005 and won’t be finished until next year.
There are numerous other, and smaller, projects that directly affect real estate developments in this area.
Here are some:
Current projects
I-10 repaving. The work between Stockton Street and Lane Avenue has been a problem for commuters coming from the west and it won’t be finished until 2012.
I-10 widening. There are 7.4 miles under construction from I-295 to Branan Field/Chaffee Road and it, too, will be a while. It’s about 35 percent finished but it will be 2012 before it’s ready, so OakLeaf Plantation and western Clay residents will have to wait a little longer for their easier ride into Jacksonville.
Doctors Inlet Bridge. This has been a mess for the Fleming Island folks but it’s almost done. What started way back in 2007 will be finished later this year.
I-95/SR 9A flyover. This will be a boon to those coming to the beaches from the north and it’s 86 percent done. The finish should be this summer.
Future projects
First Coast Outer Beltway. If and when it’s ever done, it will be at least a $1.5 billion project. It’s the connector from I-95 in St. Johns County across the river to Middleburg, and will open a new path for the thousands in northern St. Johns County. The Shands bridge will be replaced as part of this. The legislature has approved this project as a toll road.
Branan Field/Chaffee Road expansion. It’s in the design stages and work can’t start soon enough for the OakLeaf and Clay population. But funding hasn’t been approved and it will take a lot of money to complete the entire plan.
S.R. 9B: Bayard to Baymeadows. This will be important to developments such as Nocatee. The construction of this road, which will run from Bayard to merge with 9A just south of Baymeadows Road, will takes three years and cost $83 million. The construction starts soon.
S.R. 9B: Bayard to I-95. This link is just as important as it will allow northbound drivers to go from the interstate to the major 9A beltway. But don’t expect action anytime soon - no funds have been allotted.
There are other projects underway that have less impact on area developments and here are some of the websites where you can learn more:
www.thebigi.info (I-10/I-95 project details.)
www.sjrbridge.com (St. Johns/Clay County river crossing study.)
www.dot.state.fl.us (Florida Department of Transportation work programs and traffic data.)
www.jtafla.com (Jacksonville Transportation Authority construction projects.)
www.BFCexpress.com (Branan Field/Chaffee Road projects.)
www.fdotfirstcoastouterbeltway.com (Information on all projects affecting the 9A and 9B outer beltways.)
www.coj.net (City of Jacksonville projects including Better Jacksonville Plan work.)
Goldman said he is available to speak to groups, or to answer any questions, and can be reached at 360-5457.
The Branan Field/Chaffee Road project has been a key in opening the western side of Duval and Clay counties and some of the work is underway. Other parts are well into the future, but here’s what everything is anticipated to look like when - and if - it’s finished.