JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville commuters will hear a new plan from the Florida Department of Transportation to help relieve congestion Tuesday.
The plan is to add express lanes to three areas of I-295 from the Buckman Bridge to I-95, State Road 9B to J. Turner Butler Boulevard, and from the Dames Point Bridge to I-95. The proposed express lanes will go in both directions and come at a price to drivers.
Existing lanes will remain as they are at no charge, but drivers using express lanes will pay a toll using a Sunpass. An electronic sign at the entrace to express lanes will tell drivers how much the toll will be, based on congestion and the time of day. If drivers have enough money in their Sunpass account, they can enter the express lanes and avoid traffic.
The FDOT says the goal is to relieve congestion and provide more choices for drivers.
If the five-year plan moves forward, Jacksonville could see its first express lanes open in 2017. The cost of the project is yet to be determined.
The public meeting will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm at the Ramada Conference Center near I-295 and San Jose in Mandarin. Presentations will be given at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30.
For more information go to
www.northfloridaexpress.com.
