JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Changes are coming to the Interstate-10/Interstate-95 interchange and the public got a look at detailed plans of the roadways this week.
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About 250,000 cars travel through the interchange each day. That number is projected to increase to 290,000 cars a day by the year 2040.
But $120 million of improvements will help the roads handle that growth.
"Those who have traveled through the I-10, I-95 corridor going over the Fuller Warren bridge know we need to make changes," Florida Department of Transportation spokesman Ron Tittle said. "It's an ongoing process. We made changes not very long ago and previous changes to that."
The upcoming FDOT plan includes:
- A new flyover overpass from I-95 northbound to Stockton Street.
- A new I-10 eastbound lane to help drivers exit to Stockton Street.
- Additional lanes for people driving south on I-95.
FDOT plans to widen the ramp from two to three lanes on I-95 northbound to I-10 westbound.
The new design has noise walls and a bicycle/pedestrian path along the south side of the Fuller Warren bridge that creates separation from traffic with concrete barriers and fencing.
FDOT has been studying this area ahead of this project for a year.
The study shows the morning and afternoon peak traffic times are more than the interchange can handle, which is why FDOT says the expansion is necessary.
"If you're out here during peak traffic time, you know traffic gets congested very quick," Tittle said. "When you're talking about the morning rush hour coming into town, also leaving town in the afternoon, it builds up anyway. We're going to do everything we can to minimize lane closures and impact on traffic."
Thursday was the third public meeting on the changes and FDOT plans to have more.
It takes suggestions and edits the proposed plan, if it can. For instance, the community requested to reduce the number of retention ponds in the area so FDOT altered the plan.
"We're building around Jacksonville. We've got currently in 2015 about $400 million worth of construction," Tittle said. "(In) 2016 we're looking at $800 million of construction. We're asking the public to please bear with us. Please be cautious driving around the areas. We're going to have more construction. The end result is going to be good."
Construction on the I-10/I-95 interchange should start sometime in 2016 and will take a couple of years to complete.