2 people dead after small plane attempts emergency landing on southwest Florida interstate
Two people have died after a small plane attempted to make an emergency landing on a Florida interstate Friday afternoon, colliding with a vehicle and bringing traffic to a halt as a massive plume of black smoke rose into the air.
โThe road is coming apartโ: Man tired of replacing windshields wants SR-200 near Old Nassauville Road in Yulee repaired
The owner of Mikeโs Shuttle Service, a limousine company in Nassau County, is tired of constantly shelling out hundreds of dollars to repair cracked windshields he said became damaged from riding on State Road 200 between Old Nassauville Road and the Thomas J. Shave Jr. Bridge to Amelia Island.
FDOT hears community concerns about $45M seawall replacement project in St. Augustine
The Florida Department of Transportation is looking to replace a decades-old seawall in St. Augustine to provide a safer option and more protection against storm season, where significant amounts of flooding impact the area.
Hereโs FDOTโs construction plan for replacing a decades-old seawall in St. Augustine
The Florida Department of Transportation is looking to replace a decades-old seawall in St. Augustine to provide a safer option and more protection against storm season, where significant amounts of flooding impact the area.
Eastbound lanes of Mathews Bridge to close Friday night, reopen Monday morning
As part of a rehabilitation project on the Mathews Bridge, an eastbound directional closure of the bridge is planned this weekend, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting, the Florida Department of Transportation said.
Eastbound lanes of Mathews Bridge to close Friday night, reopen Monday morning
As part of a rehabilitation project on the Mathews Bridge, an eastbound directional closure of the bridge is planned this weekend, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting, the Florida Department of Transportation said.
When to stop for a school bus & how to keep children safe on roads as they head back to school
As students in 11 local counties head back to school on Thursday, police and road crews want drivers to remember the rules of sharing the road with buses, and the Florida Department of Transportation is reminding parents of simple ways to keep students safe at the bus stop.
FDOT to hand out $25 fines for unauthorized drivers using I-295 toll lanes during peak hours
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) completed the calibration of tolling facilities along the I-295 East Beltway Managed Lanes, and starting Monday, will start charging motorists a $0.50 for use of the lanes during peak hours.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Lane closures at SB I-95 over West 5th Street due to repair work
Southbound I-95 over West 5th Street will see multi-lane closures as crews perform bridge maintenance activities related to the bridge deck, according to a news release Tuesday from the Florida Department of Transportation.
Northbound Edgewood reopens at train track overpass after crane fire
A day after a crane caught fire and sent flames shooting 40 feet high, possibly damaging the New Kings Road overpass on Edgewood Avenue, News4JAX learned northbound lanes of Edgewood had reopened, while southbound lanes will remain closed until officials can inspect the overpass.
Buckman Bridge finger joint repairs complete, FDOT says
Two southbound lanes of Interstate 295 across the Buckman Bridge will be detoured from Friday evening through early Monday morning for the next several weekends while permanent repairs are made to expansion joints forced the Buckman Bridge to close for nearly eight hours in May, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
โI am not involved in bridge lighting,โ DeSantis says when asked about pride lights
The Florida Department of Transportation disclosed this week that it received five phone complaints about a rainbow light display on the Acosta Bridge, and directed the lights be returned to the traditional blue color.
TRAFFIC ALERT: Wrecks at Blanding and Atlantic blocking I-295 lanes
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Two southbound lanes of I-295 at Blanding and one southbound lane of I-295 at Atlantic Boulevard are closed by traffic accidents on Monday morning. Click play button above for live Florida Department of Transportation camera views.
Bumpy road ahead for Florida transportation projects
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ The Florida Department of Transportation is expecting major budget losses in the coming years as a result of the pandemic. When asked what areas might be facing cuts to make up for pandemic revenue losses, Senate Budget Chair Kelli Stargel was blunt. That includes the rise of electric vehicles, which will mean less revenue from taxes on gasoline, the primary source of revenue for the Department of Transportation. So whether cuts are made to transportation or another sector, tough decisions lie ahead. The Department of Transportation said despite the loss of revenue, it will prioritize safety and preservation related projects.
JSO cruiser involved in crash on I-95 near Philips Highway
A damaged police cruiser could be seen Sunday on I-95 near Philips Highway. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Two southbound lanes of Interstate 95 near Philips Highway were closed for three hours Sunday after a crash involving a police cruiser. It appeared a Jacksonville Sheriffโs Office patrol car and a white SUV were involved. Two lanes of 95S are blocked at Phillips Highway because of car crash. A white SUV and a @JSOPIO patrol car.
Northbound lanes of Buckman Bridge reopen after crash
A Florida Department of Transportation camera shows a crash Sunday on the Buckman Bridge. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The northbound lanes of Interstate 295 on the Buckman Bridge were closed Sunday afternoon due to a crash, authorities said. According to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, multiple cars were involved, and one of the vehicles caught fire. Crews are responding to a traffic accident on the Buckman bridge northbound.... multiple cars are involved with one on fire.... expect heavy delays in both directions. All northbound lanes have since reopened.
FDOT rolls out awareness campaign for little-known travel restriction on large trucks
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Keeping you safe on the roads, thereโs now a campaign to keep semi-trucks out of the left lane. FDOT and the Florida Highway Patrol are working to keep semi-truck drivers out of the left lane, to make traveling safer for all drivers on the road. FDOT says Florida has a successful history with truck lane restrictions throughout the state. The Florida Highway Patrol will be working with FDOT to make sure truck drivers are following the rules. Click here for an interactive map on truck lane restrictions.
FDOT: Drivers 65+ involved in less crashes, but suffer twice as many fatalities
Looking at the 5-year average of crashes involving motorists 65 and up Duval county is above average,โ said Troy Roberts, FDOT Spokesman. FDOT wants to make sure older drivers are aware of resources to keep them safe. Aside from that - over the past 20 years FDOT has made improvements to the roads to make it easier for older drivers to navigate. FDOT says now is the time for older drivers to think and plan ahead for their driving needs as they age. Watch this video to learn how to build a transportation plan using Floridaโs Guide to Safe Mobility for Life.
Atlantic Boulevard service road at Intracoastal to be closed up to 1 year
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Atlantic Boulevard service road on the Intracoastal Bridge is closing soon for roadwork and could be closed for up to a year, the Florida Department of Transportation said. FDOT said the service road for drivers headed westbound on Atlantic Boulevard will close Monday. The closure is expected to be in place throughout a bridge improvement project to install a cathodic protection system on the structure. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2021, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. Stay informed about lane closures and roadwork in your area by following FDOT District 2 at @MyFDOT_NEFL on Twitter or at MyFDOTNEFL on Facebook.
County-by-county: Northeast Florida prepares for Eta
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Eta is bringing heavy squalls with tropical-storm-force winds onshore as it tracks northeast across Northeast Florida. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday expanded a state of emergency and asked President Donald Trump for a federal emergency declaration as Tropical Storm Eta prepared to make landfall Thursday. It will be a weak tropical storm or possibly even a depression as it moves across Northeast Florida. About 5 p.m., Clay County District Schools announced all schools and offices within the district will be closed on Thursday, and all after-school activities will be canceled. The Bradford County School District said it is closing schools Thursday due to Eta.
Florida transportation agency takes railroad crossing safety in STRIDE
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Every year in North America, 2,100 people are killed or seriously injured engaging in unsafe behavior around trains and railroad tracks, according to traffic safety officials. The Florida Department of Transportation is working to ensure these intersections are even safer with a new project called Operation Stride. STRIDE stands for the Statewide Traffic and Railroad Initiative using Dynamic Envelopes. Example of a dynamic envelope paint job at a Florida railroad crossing. In 2014 and 2017, FDOT conducted a pilot program using dynamic envelopes in South and Central Florida.
Median barrier coming where Hart Expressway merges with Beach Boulevard
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Florida Department of Transportation will be installing a new barrier wall at the eastern end of the Hart Expressway where it merges with Beach Boulevard. Officials said work on approximately 600 feet of a concrete barrier wall in the existing median will begin this week. There are many businesses and schools on either side of Beach Boulevard in the area, including the River City Science Academy. It came after students were seen running in and out of traffic across Beach Boulevard to reach the school. Officials said the project will also include installing new directional signage for both Beach Boulevard and the Hart Expressway.
Family grieves young woman killed in I-95 crash
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The family of a 21-year-old woman killed Tuesday in a semi-truck crash on Interstate 95 in Jacksonville is mourning her loss. The 65-year-old truck driver was not hurt. โA [semi-truck] driver took my baby away from us,โ Krajewskiโs older sister, Amanda, wrote in a Facebook post. Based on preliminary details released by the Florida Highway Patrol, itโs unclear what might have caused the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle before the collision. The FDOT spokesperson could not provide crash data for the area, referring News4Jax to the Highway Patrol.
Department of Transportation to take action to clean Buckman Bridge as complaints come in
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ There has been a noticeable accumulation of trash on the Buckman Bridge in recent weeks, and the Florida Department of Transportation held a meeting Tuesday morning to discuss cleaning it up. The state agency told News4Jax the meeting was held with the contractor overseeing a construction project that will install new signs above the bridge. The state Department of Transportation said the contractorโs name is Florida Safety Contractors, and there was an issue with a subcontractor, which was responsible for debris removal. After Tuesdayโs meeting, the DOT told News4Jax โcorrective action will be taken.โNews4Jax was first tipped off to the trash across the bridge by a viewer who sent an email, writing, โThe amount of trash on the bridge is pitiful. If itโs peopleโs ladder or wood or things like that, that can do damage, as well,โ said driver Caren Sandusky.
Work underway to provide better, safer access to U.S. 301
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ As Jacksonville continues to grow, roadway construction along Interstate 10 is underway to keep up with all that growth. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, one of the key goals is to relieve traffic back-ups and congestion along that busy stretch of highway. Part of the scope of work includes fixing and rebuilding ramps and their connections, demolishing and upgrading the overpass and creating more safe space for people to exit I-10 onto U.S. 301. With all the growth Jacksonville and its neighboring counties have seen in recent years, this roadway construction project is long overdue. But while work is underway, drivers can look forward to new ramps, a safer overpass and more space for vehicles to safely access U.S. 301 without causing major back-ups on I-10.
Florida bridge closed after concrete falls from span
STUART, Fla. A bridge connecting a major north-south artery in a Florida city was closed Wednesday after a piece of concrete fell from the span and a crack opened up, authorities said. The Roosevelt Bridge in Stuart was closed by the Florida Department of Transportation, said state Rep. Toby Overdorf. The Coast Guard also created a safety zone to stop all commercial boaters from going under the bridge. The Stuart Police Department received a report about the falling concrete late Tuesday, according to TCPalm. Ten other people were injured when the concrete span smashed eight cars.
Florida ends COVID-19 checkpoint on I-10; 1-95 checkpoint still in place
Motorists traveling from Alabama into Florida on Interstate 10 will no longer face being stopped for COVID-19 checks. The Florida Department of Transportation announced Friday that a checkpoint east of the Florida-Alabama border is being deactivated as part of Gov. A similar checkpoint on Interstate 95 north of Jacksonville remains in place. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Louisiana were targeted because they were hotspots for the virus. The state has collected nearly 28,000 traveler forms at the I-10 checkpoint, the Department of Transportation said Friday.
DeSantis: FDOT finishes I-4 ramps 3 months early
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Five new flyover ramps along a busy stretch of the Interstate 4 corridor in Central Florida are opening three months ahead of schedule, Gov. RELATED: FDOT speeds up roadwork along I-4 corridorCompleted work includes four new ramps connecting drivers on I-4 to State Road 408, along with a ramp that brings traffic from eastbound SR 408 onto westbound I-4. The final piece of the interchange project, a flyover that links up westbound SR 408 and westbound I-4, is set to open later this summer. The governor instructed state transportation officials to take advantage of that opportunity by fast-tracking roadwork along I-4. Posted by WJXT4 The Local Station / News4JAX on Monday, May 18, 2020To learn more about the I-4 Ultimate project, visit FDOTโs website.
Overnight detours planned for Airport Road & Airport Center Drive
As part of the Florida Department of Transportationโs Airport Road and Interstate 95 interchange improvements project, a detours of eastbound and westbound Airport Road and Airport Center Drive is scheduled from 10 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Drivers traveling west on Airport Center Drive who wish to continue to Airport Road will be detoured south on U.S. 17 (Main Street), where they will take a right onto Cole Road West, a right on Cole Road and another right onto Duval Road to continue to Airport Road. Drivers traveling north on I-95 who wish to take the Airport Road west exit will continue on I-95 north to the Pecan Park Road exit, turn left on Pecan Park Road and make another left on the I-95 south ramp to continue to the Airport Road exit. Drivers traveling east on Airport Road will take the I-95 south ramp to join motorists already on I-95 south. If you have an early morning flight on Monday, January 27, please be aware of Airport Road detours.
Construction of new bridge over St. Johns River bridge set for 2022
A new bridge that will connect Clay and St. Johns counties as part of the First Coast Expressway project will start in 2022, a year sooner than expected, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The bridge over the St. Johns River will be constructed just south of the existing two-lane Shands Bridge and will include four travel lanes, as well as emergency shoulders and a multiuse pathway for bicyclists and pedestrians. Larry Williams, a Clay County resident who lives next to the State Road 16 Shands Bridge is ready for the construction to get underway. Construction of the new bridge is expected to cost about $324 million and take about five years to complete. The First Coast Expressway project will ultimately span 46 miles across parts of Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties.
Top to bottom: FDOT inspectors take close look at Dames Point Bridge
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Florida Department of Transportation shared impressive video of inspectors taking a closer look at the Dames Point Bridge last week. According to FDOT, the inspection covered both the underside and top side of the bridge. Crews used climbing rope and safety harnesses to inspect steel cables that extend from the towers and connect to the bridge span, supporting the structure. The Dames Point Bridge has the longest vertical span bridge, coming in over 1,300 feet. Overall, 168 cables are used to connect the bridge.