JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – If the Buckman Bridge is part of your weekend travel plans, you’ll want to leave yourself some extra time.
For the second weekend in a row, two outside lanes of I-295 North will close Friday night as part of ongoing bridge improvement work.
FDOT posted a message to drivers on social media, alerting them about the closures, while using an emotional hamster meme, with the words “The lanes are closed sorry” written in what appears to be Microsoft Paint.
The northbound double lane closures are scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. Friday, July 31, and are expected to reopen by 4 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3.
The ramp from San Jose Boulevard (State Road 13) to I-295 North will also be closed during that time.
Drivers will need to take a detour at Old St. Augustine Road to access I-295 North.
If you can find another route this weekend, you should, or plan for extra travel time.
The closures are part of a larger project to replace finger joints on the Buckman Bridge over the St. Johns River. Work also includes partial coatings and structural steel improvements.
The $5.4 million contract was awarded to Cekra, Inc. Project completion is expected in fall 2026, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.