JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The rain isn't just slowing down drivers, it's also halting the work of the city's many construction projects, which is costing the Florida Department of Transportation money.
It's no surprise that construction projects are taking over nearly every inch of Jacksonville.
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Though many people would like to see the projects soon come to an end, Ron Tittle, of the Department of Transportation, said the heavy rains have only been prolonging that from happening.
"We have equipment that can still work because it's protected, but we certainly don't want to work when there's lightning going on, when there is a hazard," said Tittle. "We can do some projects, but we want to be safe, that's the most important thing."
Tittle said every construction project has a project manager who documents the days that have to be pushed back, causing an overlap in projects and costing FDOT money.
"We've seen somewhere it's continuous rain, a week or two and sometimes it gets closer to the end of the project, and you may have a project overrun and that could cost money," said Tittle. "So that's where documentation of all of this is important."
This year FDOT reached more than $1 billion worth of construction, and if rainy days and weather delays continue, those costs could increase.
When it rains the construction workers feel it in their pockets, too.
"We've got a lot of workers who were out trying to make a good living here every day and provide for the families and it does impact them if they're not working, then they're not getting paid," said Tittle.
Tittle said he understands the traffic frustrations of drivers, but asks motorists to slow down in all weather conditions.
"Please have a good situational awareness, slow down, be thoughtful of others knowing that someone working on that project has a family and they want to come back to that family," said Tittle.
FDOT is also urging drivers to get caught up with the projects coming to Jacksonville, because in the next two years there will be projects at every corridor.
Click here to learn more about upcoming projects.