JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Starting Friday, August 3, portions of eastbound Arlington Expressway will be closed so JEA can finish a water project across the St. Johns River. The closings are expected to last six days.
One eastbound travel lane and eight off/on ramps from the Arlington Road overpass to the foot of the Mathews Bridge will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday, August 3, through 2 p.m. Thursday, August 9.
Motorists traveling westbound to downtown or areas west of the St. Johns River will not be affected by the construction project.
Due to the closure, JEA is offering the following alternate routes or detours to avoid expected congestion on the Mathews Bridge and eastbound Arlington Expressway:
- The primary detour for Arlington residents, who live north of the Arlington Expressway, is as follows: Hart Bridge to Atlantic Boulevard to University Boulevard to Cesery Boulevard to Arlington Road North. At Arlington Road either turn right to get to Rogero Road or turn left to get to University Boulevard. OR Interstate 95 to Heckscher Drive to the Dames Point Bridge to the Southside Connector to the Arlington Expressway, heading back toward downtown. All of the westbound exit ramps will be open to access points north and south of the expressway.
- Commuters who use the Arlington Expressway to access destinations such as Mill Creek Road, Southside Boulevard and points further to the east and the Beaches can use the Arlington Expressway, which will be reduced to one lane.
- Beaches residents who normally use the Arlington Expressway, should take I-95 south to Butler Boulevard to A1A north.
- Evening commuters who normally travel Atlantic Boulevard, should use Beach Boulevard.
- Evening commuters who normally travel Beach Boulevard, should consider taking Butler Boulevard.
The water project JEA is finishing will balance water withdrawals from the aquifer on each side of the St. Johns River. It will include a pipeline for potable water transmission that will consist of six projects or segments of large diameter water pipe (36-inch, 30-inch and 24-inch).
First Coast News