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Traffic shift to hit Jacksonville on the east beltway

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Drivers will experience a traffic shift on I-295 northbound this morning.

Watch live report below on FOX30 for what you need to know: 
Original Story: 

Drivers on Interstate 295 northbound just after the Gate Parkway exit will experience a traffic shift Sunday night.

Drivers on part of I-295 will notice a difference in their commute come Monday.

Overnight, crews are expected to shift northbound traffic to east, past Gate Parkway under the new ramp to J. Turner Butler Boulevard.

Sunday night’s traffic shift is all part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s I-295 express lane project -- expected to roll out this summer.

“I drive over on 295 every day. I go towards Fleming, Orange Park all that kind of area,” said Kasadee Brewer.

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The nearly $140 million project will add two new lanes from State Road 9B to just north of J. Turner Butler Boulevard and a new tolling system.

“We want to make sure that you’re spending time doing what you want to do rather than spending time stuck in traffic,” said Hampton Ray, with the Florida Department of Transportation.

The FDOT says the tolls will start at 50 cents but increase in price based on how many drivers are using the express lanes.

“These are dynamically tolled, so the price that you see will be displayed on an overhead digital signboard so as you drive on I-295 you’ll be able to know ahead of time if you want to use the toll express lanes,” said Hampton.

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FDOT tells us if you do plan on taking the toll roads -- it’s important to get one of these Sun Passes – or else you could risk paying a $25 fine per day if you take the express lanes.

It’s an added expense that drivers like Brewer say they’ll pass on.

“It’s saving money just getting a pass I guess,” she said.

FDOT tells Action News Jax the lane shift will happen tonight between midnight and 6 a.m. depending on weather.