Looking to cut some time off your commute? FDOT wants to help with that

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As many of you read this article, you’re probably preparing for the work and school day ahead.

RELATED: New express lanes on I-295 East Beltway open up

If you’re looking for a way to save some time in the morning – and let’s be honest, who isn’t?— using the new I-295 Express Lanes may be one way to do that.

The lanes run from State Road 9B to J. Turner Butler Boulevard, and they opened over the weekend on Saturday morning.

The Florida Department of Transportation says the idea is for everyone to benefit from using the Express Lanes, because while you’re using them to get to your destination, you’re also ultimately freeing up space in the regular lanes as well.

However, if you plan to use these lanes, make sure you have a Sunpass first! (Or you will have to pay a fine, and no one wants that!)

“In town, traffic is getting terrible. Especially 295,” said Patricia Baden.

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Baden said it makes her grateful that she’s already retired.

“In the morning times, you can see them backed up from 295. So I wouldn’t want to be in that traffic!” Baden exclaimed.

With about 1,000,000 people who already call Jacksonville home and more people choosing to move to the River City every day.

The Florida Department of Transportation opened the Express lanes in the hope of making your drive less congested.

“This morning we had a little bit of a test. Everything went smooth. No issues,” said Hampton Ray, the Spokesperson for FDOT.

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Part two of today’s test was the evening rush hour traffic.

“You have to pay attention to the cones and everything because it is very confusing. It really is. And the older people really get confused,” Baden said.

If you end up in this situation, Ray said don’t stop, don’t panic, keep driving instead.

“We have road anger standing by ready to assist people. And if they find themselves in lanes and aren’t sure what to do, we have law-enforcement partners out here working to make sure everything goes smoothly,” Ray explained.

Ray also said they have signs three miles in advance of the express lanes in both directions to give drivers a heads-up.

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When Cole asked how many people have used these new express lanes between their opening on Saturday and today, Ray said he’s going to work to get the data from the transportation management center.

“I think it’s very helpful, because during the rush-hour mornings you can get a Sunpass and you could just keep it moving,” said Senita Elderwashington.

Elderwashington says it sure beats taking a chance getting stuck in traffic.

“A lot of times the traffic is backed up for at least two or three minutes when you’re trying to get off the expressway and all the lanes are just congested,” Elderwashington told Action News Jax.

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Ray told Cole these express lanes operate during peak travel times: 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

And even with more people working from home, he says these lanes are still necessary.

“Our plans are well in advance. Well in the future, in terms of supporting the growth that were seeing here. Will you build these roads with a design year that are several years out, in many cases it’s 20-40 years out,” Ray explained.

Just remember, Ray says, the lanes are express, but your speed shouldn’t be.

“Certainly never go faster than the speed limit. Our goal is to maintain that speed limit drive all the way through the corridor,” said Ray.

CLICK HERE to purchase a Sunpass.

New express lanes on I-295 East Beltway open: What you need to know New express lanes on I-295 East Beltway open: What you need to know

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