Buckman Bridge lanes reopen after crash, construction chaos

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After hours of congestion Saturday afternoon, traffic began moving smoothly on the Buckman Bridge shortly after 8 p.m.

Florida Highway Patrol says a crash at the entrance of the Buckman Bridge on the southbound side caused the right lane to be blocked.

This was creating a traffic mess as construction to repair expansion joints already had two of four Mandarin-bound lanes to close. The construction is scheduled from 9 p.m. Friday night to 5 a.m. Monday morning on weekends for the next six to eight weeks, but the Florida Department of Transportation said work scheduled for this weekend was completed early and all lanes and the entrance ramps from U.S. 17 were open by Sunday morning.

Motorists on the Buckman, I-295 and in the general vicinity over the next several weekends should expect delays and plan ahead. Transportation officials say the safety of workers is paramount during the repair project and are urging drivers to pay extra attention.