The Highway 17 and Interstate 295 interchange near the Duval-Clay border is one of the busiest interchanges in Northeast Florida and it’s been under construction for years.
In the past week, a lot more construction has overtaken the interchange and News4JAX decided to look into what that means for drivers.
Barbara Traylor was visiting the Westside from her home at the beach recently and ran into a lot of confusion in the area.
“We were just coming back and I will say I had a very difficult time trying to get back onto 295. So I had to come all the way here and turn around to go back just because the traffic is a lot,” Traylor said.
She’s not alone.
There have been lane shifts and concrete barriers are now in place. For example, the northbound lanes used to flow freely now drivers have to stay to the right.
“Just use caution and pay attention to signs and signals that might be changing,” said Sara Pleasants with the Florida Department of Transportation. “We’ve got some temporary barrier walls up to make sure that the project team can work safely in the area of the median.”
Four months ago, drivers were confused by a new traffic light on US 17 so FDOT made it a right on red. But FDOT changed it again and now the sign says “no right on red.”
That’s because there was a third lane added and federal regulations won’t allow the free right to continue.
“It’s kind of annoying. It’s 12 p.m. and it’s like traffic for no reason. It’s sad. It don’t matter what time of the day it is. There’s still traffic.”
Work in the area will likely be finished in late fall.
FDOT also said the First Coast Expressway, which is still under construction to the south through Green Cove Springs, will take a lot of the traffic that usually drives US 17 and make the commute easier for everyone.