JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- I-95 at Butler Boulevard has long been one of the most congested roads in the city. But if you could bypass traffic for a fee, would you do it?
Drivers we spoke to didn't hesitate to say yes. But when they heard the way to do that would be paying a toll, they start tapping the brakes. Driver Adrian Gentry said, "Paying for a toll road would definitely not be something I'd be interested in."
Right now, the Florida Department of Transportation is investigating whether a flyover would work at the intersection of JTB and I-95. Problems is, it would cost $125 million the state says it doesn't have.
FDOT Spokesman Mike Goldman said, "Money's an issue. And we're being realistic about our estimates."
So to pay for it, the flyover would be a high tech, electronically monitored toll road, similar to the ones you see in Orlando.
"No toll booths," said Goldman. "It's not like the traditional toll booths, where you reach in your pocket and you hopefully have the correct change, and hopefully it gets in the basket."
The existing lanes of the interstate would remain free. So, you'd still have the option to pay or not.
The flyover is just an idea at this point. The FDOT is doing a feasibility study and hopes to have a decision in the next two to three months.
