The closure of an eastbound travel lane and eight on/off ramps along the Arlington Expressway from the foot of the Mathews Bridge to the Arlington Road overpass will be extended at least through the weekend, according to JEA Media Coordinator Gerri Boyce.
JEA is working to connect its water systems on the south and north banks of the St. Johns River with a 6,700-foot pipeline under the river and needs a section of the shoulder of the Arlington Expressway for assembly.
Boyce said JEA is working with the public and groups affected by the closures and is coordinating the evening commute and special event traffic with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Transportation.
She said JEA and the sheriff’s office recommend use of the Hart Bridge after the Jacksonville Jaguars game Friday night.
“JEA is working with all affected agencies, the Jaguars and the public. This includes coordinating traffic with JSO and FDOT during special events, such as Friday’s Jaguars game, and during the evening commute. JEA and JSO recommend the use of the Hart Bridge after Friday’s preseason Jaguars game at EverBank Field,” said Boyce in a statement Wednesday.
Crews were working ahead of schedule as of Monday, but a mechanical failure in attempting to pull the pipe through the hole that was drilled has caused a setback. A pull-back rod, attached to the pipe, sheared about 400 feet from the entry point, said Boyce.
The contractor was successful in retracting the pipe and is retrieving the pull-back rod, preparing the bore hole, and then pulling the pipe again. This change will cause the schedule to be extended through the weekend, at minimum, before completion.
Commuters traveling the Arlington Expressway westbound to Downtown or to other points west of the St. Johns River will not be impacted by JEA’s construction, JEA said.
JEA recommends that motorists use the following alternate routes or detours to avoid the expected traffic congestion and delays on the Mathews Bridge and eastbound Arlington Expressway.
• The primary detour for Arlington residents north of the Arlington Expressway is: Hart Bridge to Atlantic Boulevard to University Boulevard to Cesery Boulevard to Arlington Road North. At Arlington Road, either turn right to Rogero Road or turn left to get to University Blvd., or Interstate-95 north to Heckscher Drive to the Dames Point Bridge to the Southside Connector to the Arlington Expressway, heading back toward downtown. All of the westbound exit ramps will be open to access points north and south of the expressway.
• Commuters who use the Arlington Expressway to access destinations such as Mill Creek Road, Southside Boulevard and points further to the east and the Beaches, can continue to use the Arlington Expressway, which will be reduced to one lane.
• Beaches residents who normally use the Arlington Expressway can take I-95 south to Butler Boulevard to A1A north.
• Evening commuters who normally travel Atlantic Boulevard can use Beach Boulevard.
• Evening commuters who normally travel Beach Boulevard may consider taking Butler Boulevard.
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