JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Paving is scheduled to start this week on a section of US 301 in Duval and Nassau counties.  The project will widen the highway.

The addition of new lanes comes after work to clear land and install sections of a new storm water drainage system was completed.

The Florida Department of Transportation began work on the project last December.

As the project progresses, two additional travel lanes will be added and eleven bridges will be replaced in six locations.  In Nassau County, fifteen miles of the road widening will occur from the Duval County line to Pickett Road in Callahan.  The additional 2.3 miles of work will be in Duval County from north of Baldwin to the county line.

The FDOT said so far crews have cleared approximately 300 acres of trees and underbrush, installed 4,600 linear feet (just under a mile) of drainage pipe, installed 26 drainage structures, built 14 box culverts and excavated 12 storm water drainage ponds.

Crews have also built a temporary bridge at the north end of Brandy Branch Creek.  The existing bridge was washed out during Tropical Storm Debby.

The first section of asphalt base paving will be at the south end of the project on the west side of the road, two miles north of Baldwin for roughly one mile.

Once complete, traffic will be shifted onto the new pavement of the existing roadway can be rebuilt.

The project cost is $60 million and is expected to be completed by late 2014 depending on weather or other unforeseen conditions.

For additional information, visit the FDOT project's webpage.  The public can also keep up with weekly progress on the project by following the FDOT on Twitter @MyFDOT_NEFL.

 

 

First Coast News