There is a new expressway/tollroad under construction currently creating a new western beltway around greater Jacksonville, through Clay County near Green Cove Springs crossing a new bridge over the St Johns River and ending with a major interchange with I-95 in St Johns County.
Details on the construction status, routing and planning can be found here.
http://firstcoastexpressway.com/ (http://firstcoastexpressway.com/)
At the moment it is signed as FL23. The tollway from the Cecil Commerce Center to Blanding Boulevard is just more than 50% complete.
The current ROW end at Blanding Boulevard is overpass complete with ramps still under work.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2016-11-gallery-south%2F01.jpg&hash=1cadc6a8a700065160dd2f8741fa9bdcd2c2df34)
The ROW going north of Blanding is nearing completion with the base pavement down and installation of the ePass overhead grids in place.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2016-11-gallery-south%2F12.jpg&hash=d7593386d48e8f398218f63dc2b5a312f9f62177)
FL23 gets bounced back and forth depending on the completion level of the ROW.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2016-11-gallery-south%2F30.jpg&hash=92f552245fac9cefd064f741f1f02227f79902c9)
As far as the expressway south of Blanding to Clay County and over to I-95, it will require a new bridge over the St John's River to replace the current 2 lane (narrow) Shands Bridge.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2015-12-21-fcob-banner-2.jpg&hash=188898fc19179c5ed4f95167a29bbed9347342d0)
This is still in planning and there is still much ROW to acquire in Clay County. There is also some governance issues on the fact a free bridge (Shands) is being replaced by a Toll Bridge. People on the east bank of the St Johns River cross the bridge to go to Green Cover Springs for retail frequently. Lack of retail in ex-urban St Johns County is an issue currently, but many believe will be resolved when I-795/CR2209 is completed.
The schedule for the rest of the expressway is as follows:
First Coast Expressway (I-95 to Blanding Blvd, Currently Being Designed)
Construction Cost (estimated): $897 Million
Schedule:
Right of Way acquisition (estimated completion by 2020)
Design and Permitting (estimated completion by 2020)
Construction (not currently scheduled)
Project Improvements:
Construct a multi-lane divided expressway from I-95 to Blanding Blvd.
Construct a new crossing of the St. Johns River south of the existing Shands Bridge.
Construct drainage ponds and an underground storm water system.
Build automated tolling facilities for electronically paid tolls.
There are discussions on if this expressway will be extended north into Nassau County and reconnect with I-95 somewhere near Yulee.
Naming conventions are currently under speculation. It will stay signed FL23 indefinitely. If the road stays a I-10 to I-95 beltway, current thoughts are it will signed I-310.
If they are able to complete the beltway all the way into Nassau County some think it will be a derivative of I-95 instead of I-10.
That's pretty disappointing to hear that the Shands Bridge is being replaced with a toll facility. I like the idea of 23 but that's pretty crappy to replace an existing structure that isn't tollled. Hopefully something can be worked out before the second half of the project gets going. Maybe it can be addressed with a free lane for FL 16 traffic that is separated from 23 traffic?
Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 15, 2017, 09:19:48 PM
That's pretty disappointing to hear that the Shands Bridge is being replaced with a toll facility. I like the idea of 23 but that's pretty crappy to replace an existing structure that isn't tollled. Hopefully something can be worked out before the second half of the project gets going. Maybe it can be addressed with a free lane for FL 16 traffic that is separated from 23 traffic?
People here are bitching about a new toll bridge. It will be AET. I would imagine they will have it set up so if you just cross bridge, using first exit no charge
LGMS428
Quote from: edwaleni on January 15, 2017, 09:02:54 PM
There is a new expressway/tollroad under construction currently creating a new western beltway around greater Jacksonville, through Clay County near Green Cove Springs crossing a new bridge over the St Johns River and ending with a major interchange with I-95 in St Johns County.
Details on the construction status, routing and planning can be found here.
http://firstcoastexpressway.com/ (http://firstcoastexpressway.com/)
At the moment it is signed as FL23. The tollway from the Cecil Commerce Center to Blanding Boulevard is just more than 50% complete.
The current ROW end at Blanding Boulevard is overpass complete with ramps still under work.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2016-11-gallery-south%2F01.jpg&hash=1cadc6a8a700065160dd2f8741fa9bdcd2c2df34)
The ROW going north of Blanding is nearing completion with the base pavement down and installation of the ePass overhead grids in place.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2016-11-gallery-south%2F12.jpg&hash=d7593386d48e8f398218f63dc2b5a312f9f62177)
FL23 gets bounced back and forth depending on the completion level of the ROW.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2016-11-gallery-south%2F30.jpg&hash=92f552245fac9cefd064f741f1f02227f79902c9)
As far as the expressway south of Blanding to Clay County and over to I-95, it will require a new bridge over the St John's River to replace the current 2 lane (narrow) Shands Bridge.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffirstcoastexpressway.com%2Fimages%2F2015-12-21-fcob-banner-2.jpg&hash=188898fc19179c5ed4f95167a29bbed9347342d0)
This is still in planning and there is still much ROW to acquire in Clay County. There is also some governance issues on the fact a free bridge (Shands) is being replaced by a Toll Bridge. People on the east bank of the St Johns River cross the bridge to go to Green Cover Springs for retail frequently. Lack of retail in ex-urban St Johns County is an issue currently, but many believe will be resolved when I-795/CR2209 is completed.
The schedule for the rest of the expressway is as follows:
First Coast Expressway (I-95 to Blanding Blvd, Currently Being Designed)
Construction Cost (estimated): $897 Million
Schedule:
Right of Way acquisition (estimated completion by 2020)
Design and Permitting (estimated completion by 2020)
Construction (not currently scheduled)
Project Improvements:
Construct a multi-lane divided expressway from I-95 to Blanding Blvd.
Construct a new crossing of the St. Johns River south of the existing Shands Bridge.
Construct drainage ponds and an underground storm water system.
Build automated tolling facilities for electronically paid tolls.
There are discussions on if this expressway will be extended north into Nassau County and reconnect with I-95 somewhere near Yulee.
Naming conventions are currently under speculation. It will stay signed FL23 indefinitely. If the road stays a I-10 to I-95 beltway, current thoughts are it will signed I-310.
If they are able to complete the beltway all the way into Nassau County some think it will be a derivative of I-95 instead of I-10.
I havent seen anything about I-310. I have been driving the road since construction first started. Thanks for the pics
Middleburg will grow a lot more once this is fully open. It will be so much faster to go to St Augustine
LGMS428
The First Coast Expressway Tollroad (FL-23) is now open down to Blanding Boulevard (FL-21).
It is "free" from I-10 south to New World Avenue for those trying to reach Cecil Commerce Center, then it is an electronic collection after that.
While Google Maps and others haven't quite caught up, a weather service map (Intellicast) does show it complete and the planned route down to Green Cove Springs, the new Shands Bridge and east to I-95.
With the opening of I-795 and now FL-23 in the last month and the completion of the Overland Bridge downtown, the Jacksonville Metro has seen a highway building boom.
FL-23 tollroad construction is continuing on south of Blanding now. Clearing of land north and south of Black Creek has started. Barges that were collecting core samples for the new Shands Bridge finished their work and have left.
Will the First Coast Expressway's exits be numbered? And if so, where will mile 0 be? At Interstate 10 or Interstate 95?
We have a friend who lives at the southern end of Lake Asbury and I've found that FL-21 north to I-295 is a miserable drive when we visit her. This road looks like a terrific alternative even if it is a little bit out of the way distance-wise. Sure will change the character of that area once development follows the road, though.
Quote from: edwaleni on August 18, 2018, 12:12:37 PM
While Google Maps and others haven't quite caught up, a weather service map (Intellicast) does show it complete and the planned route down to Green Cove Springs, the new Shands Bridge and east to I-95.
Apple Maps has it showing (the part that's actually complete), although it's not freeway-colored.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 18, 2018, 03:09:55 PM
Will the First Coast Expressway's exits be numbered? And if so, where will mile 0 be? At Interstate 10 or Interstate 95?
Great question. I do not know.
Before I reach out for an answer , I would hazard a guess to say it will start at I-95.
Why?
Because they are discussing a north extension to Yulee.
Quote from: edwaleni on August 19, 2018, 12:48:12 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 18, 2018, 03:09:55 PM
Will the First Coast Expressway's exits be numbered? And if so, where will mile 0 be? At Interstate 10 or Interstate 95?
Great question. I do not know.
Before I reach out for an answer , I would hazard a guess to say it will start at I-95.
Why?
Because they are discussing a north extension to Yulee.
A extension to Yulee? wow. They're really building a outer beltway around Jacksonville. Will they build the eastern part?
^ Where would an eastern part go? Except for unbuildable wetlands along the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal Waterway, land is already developed from Jacksonville to the Beach.
I think it's safe to say there won't be an eastern part.
Quote from: Strider on August 19, 2018, 01:37:37 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 19, 2018, 12:48:12 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 18, 2018, 03:09:55 PM
Will the First Coast Expressway's exits be numbered? And if so, where will mile 0 be? At Interstate 10 or Interstate 95?
Great question. I do not know.
Before I reach out for an answer , I would hazard a guess to say it will start at I-95.
Why?
Because they are discussing a north extension to Yulee.
A extension to Yulee? wow. They're really building a outer beltway around Jacksonville. Will they build the eastern part?
When it was first built, there was no accommodation for a future north ROW. The ramps were designed for southbound only.
Thanks to a request from 2 very large grocery firms located on Beaver Street, FDOT decided to place a northbound capability with a future extension in mind to be done at the same time the tollway franchise was awarded.
Discussions about a Yulee based extension then came to the front. It has grown more since Amazon opened a facility at JIA.
Just as the tollroad will support Clay County access to Cecil based jobs, the wisdom is that the same will occur for Nassau residents coming south.
It also takes a large amount of truck pressure off of I-95 and I-295 on the northside That is currently being reconstructed. It had one of those left side exit ramps to go north and it was functionally obsolete. There had already been a lot of truck accidents there.
So at this point I would say if the toll road being built now really takes off on revenue, pressure to go north will go through the roof.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 18, 2018, 03:09:55 PM
Will the First Coast Expressway's exits be numbered? And if so, where will mile 0 be? At Interstate 10 or Interstate 95?
Yes, the First Coast Expressway (SR 23) has exit numbers, and they will count up from the future Interstate 95 connection in St. Johns County. SR 21 is Exit 31 while Interstate 10 is Exit 46AB. By the way, I previously mentioned this in the Florida (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2017.msg2346200#msg2346200) thread some weeks ago, listing out all the exit numbers along the opened part of the expressway.
Quote from: edwaleni on August 19, 2018, 12:48:12 AM
Because they are discussing a north extension to Yulee.
Are you referring to Nassau County, because they do have it advocated for an extension in their Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan (https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/13577/RTC-Plan) (from September 2016)?
When did they open the I-10 to SR-21 stretch of the First Coast Expressway? I tried to find it on Google but got no news results.
The project website still says October 2018: http://firstcoastexpressway.com/index.shtml
The AA Roads blog post says it was open at least by July 31: https://www.aaroads.com/blog/first-coast-expressway-open-to-traffic/
Quote from: Chris on August 21, 2018, 11:09:15 AM
When did they open the I-10 to SR-21 stretch of the First Coast Expressway? I tried to find it on Google but got no news results.
The project website still says October 2018: http://firstcoastexpressway.com/index.shtml
The AA Roads blog post says it was open at least by July 31: https://www.aaroads.com/blog/first-coast-expressway-open-to-traffic/
I received several emails from Matt Kingsley with photos of the new expressway that he took on July 13. So its been open since at least then.
Quote from: flaroads on August 20, 2018, 04:26:59 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 18, 2018, 03:09:55 PM
Will the First Coast Expressway's exits be numbered? And if so, where will mile 0 be? At Interstate 10 or Interstate 95?
Yes, the First Coast Expressway (SR 23) has exit numbers, and they will count up from the future Interstate 95 connection in St. Johns County. SR 21 is Exit 31 while Interstate 10 is Exit 46AB. By the way, I previously mentioned this in the Florida (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2017.msg2346200#msg2346200) thread some weeks ago, listing out all the exit numbers along the opened part of the expressway.
Quote from: edwaleni on August 19, 2018, 12:48:12 AM
Because they are discussing a north extension to Yulee.
Are you referring to Nassau County, because they do have it advocated for an extension in their Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan (https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/13577/RTC-Plan) (from September 2016)?
I haven't looked at a Nassau transportation planning document in awhile. Last time I did most of it was advocating for US-301/FL-200 between Callahan and I-95 improvements. With the new updates on US-301 at Baldwin and Starke, that made sense.
But any plan to extend FL-23 Toll north will have to contend with Whitehouse Naval Airfield. It's an auxiliary airfield, mostly used for carrier cat and trap practice. I think its the only one south of Norfolk, VA as nearby NS Mayport is designed to port carriers.
So if it goes west, it will run into US-301. If it goes east, it will run into a great deal of "rural-residential" in Duval and west of the airport (plus 2 WMA's). It will be interesting to see where it all goes.
And thank you for posting the mile markers.
It was mentioned upthread that there is no toll from I-10 to New World Avenue. I took the new expressway from FL 228 to I-10 and there's no transaction on my Sunpass account yet. My others from the past week on the Veterans Expressway and the Sunshine Skyway posted by the time I first checked (same day). Not sure if it's still free for now or it's just slow to post.
This definitely will open up FL 21 as an alternate way to the area for me. The one time I took 21 all the way from FL 20 to I-295 a few years back was one time too many for me. It was taking multiple light cycles to move through those last few miles. I recall the rest as being pleasant enough, but the frustration at the end was enough to make me forget about all that.
Quote from: flaroads on August 20, 2018, 04:26:59 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 18, 2018, 03:09:55 PM
Will the First Coast Expressway's exits be numbered? And if so, where will mile 0 be? At Interstate 10 or Interstate 95?
Yes, the First Coast Expressway (SR 23) has exit numbers, and they will count up from the future Interstate 95 connection in St. Johns County. SR 21 is Exit 31 while Interstate 10 is Exit 46AB. By the way, I previously mentioned this in the Florida (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2017.msg2346200#msg2346200) thread some weeks ago, listing out all the exit numbers along the opened part of the expressway.
Quote from: edwaleni on August 19, 2018, 12:48:12 AM
Because they are discussing a north extension to Yulee.
Are you referring to Nassau County, because they do have it advocated for an extension in their Regional Multimodal Transportation Plan (https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/DocumentCenter/View/13577/RTC-Plan) (from September 2016)?
OK, yes, I remember this document (RTC NE Florida) now. Bringing back a Tampa-Jacksonville Expressway plan got all the attention & press. It was to include a route via Gainesville.
Essentially, NE Florida is trying to raise the cost of road travel through the area to force more people into accepting transit. "Cost" can include longer drive times, Lexus Lanes, no lane additions, etc.
Are there any longer-term plans to extend this northward from I-10 and if so, what might they be? Eyeballing aerial images of the interchange there, it looks to me to be too 'high powered' for the highway to permanently end at US 90.
Mike
Quote from: mgk920 on September 06, 2018, 06:57:49 PM
Are there any longer-term plans to extend this northward from I-10 and if so, what might they be? Eyeballing aerial images of the interchange there, it looks to me to be too 'high powered' for the highway to permanently end at US 90.
Mike
Discussions have been underway for awhile (after the Beaver Street exit was added) and its being added to some long range planning documents (noted above).
Jacksonville just announced bids were going out for a very large manufacturing space on the largest open parcel at Cecil Commerce. I suspect if they do attract a very large tenant, then an extension to I-95 at Yulee will begin to grow.
Maybe we could start a thread in Fictional Highways on how far north of Interstate 10 we'd fantasize the FCE would go. I'd vote we extend it into Georgia (fictionally, of course).
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 10, 2018, 04:55:21 PM
Maybe we could start a thread in Fictional Highways on how far north of Interstate 10 we'd fantasize the FCE would go. I'd vote we extend it into Georgia (fictionally, of course).
It will never reach Georgia. It is a Florida grown project and will end at Yulee.
Georgia has no desire to make it easier for residents to reach Florida.
I know it won't, and I didn't expect it to reach Georgia. I was merely stating where I would send the northern end to, if there was a Fictional Highways thread on the northern terminus of the FCE.
Something I was doing for work yesterday had me looking at Google Maps in the Middleburg area and I couldn't help but notice an unusual DDI along the new highway–it's essentially combining a T-intersection on which one leg is a one-way road with a DDI. I guess calling it a "DDT" would be bad form if you know your environmental history! Anyway, it struck me as a sensible design and I wondered whether anyone knows of any other DDIs that look like this.
Unfortunately, the map is incomplete, and Bing Maps doesn't show it at all, but you can get a good enough sense of the design from the links below.
Map view (the map and the satellite omit the highway itself, but basically just picture the north-south roads it shows as though they were frontage roads): https://www.google.com/maps/@30.1587467,-81.8306502,17.6z
Street View giving a decent sense of how it would look when done: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.1590698,-81.8301932,3a,60y,332.23h,87.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGjYWNrcBIiTBPJshAwnUnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Quote from: Jim on August 22, 2018, 03:08:45 PM
It was mentioned upthread that there is no toll from I-10 to New World Avenue. I took the new expressway from FL 228 to I-10 and there's no transaction on my Sunpass account yet. My others from the past week on the Veterans Expressway and the Sunshine Skyway posted by the time I first checked (same day). Not sure if it's still free for now or it's just slow to post.
....
It appears there is still no toll as of yesterday, as our SunPass has no charges from that road. The rate signs were partly covered.
I have to say the ramp from westbound I-10 to southbound 23 is probably the longest ramp I can recall driving.
Edited to fix a typo (autocorrect changed "rate" to "rare" for some reason)
www.firstcoastexpressway.com
www.firstcoastexpressway.com/schedule.shtml
www.firstcoastexpressway.com/faqs.shtml
www.firstcoastexpressway.com/about-the-project.shtml
It'll start collecting tolls early next year, technically starting on or about January 12. I can't say I am surprised nor pleased with the project delays by FDOT and FTE.
Any future plans to extend FCW north of I-10 to I-95 north of the city?
Quote from: Beltway on December 24, 2018, 12:31:30 AM
Any future plans to extend FCW north of I-10 to I-95 north of the city?
Yes it has been talked about but not much about it I have heard or read about.
I noted the speed limit is posted at 60 for most of the road's length, but there are 70-mph signs installed and turned at an angle so they aren't facing traffic. Be interesting to hear whether the speed limit increase coincides with the start of tolling. (We went 70 mph, didn't pass anyone, got passed by several people, and didn't see any cops.)
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 24, 2018, 09:54:26 AM
I noted the speed limit is posted at 60 for most of the road's length, but there are 70-mph signs installed and turned at an angle so they aren't facing traffic. Be interesting to hear whether the speed limit increase coincides with the start of tolling. (We went 70 mph, didn't pass anyone, got passed by several people, and didn't see any cops.)
Either that, or they'll wait until more segments of the toll road are open to the paying public (although that may be rather unlikely due to the delay in opening and tolling the initial segments).
Earlier today we visited our friend who lives at Lake Asbury. She had very mixed feelings about the new road, noting it's nice to bypass Blanding Boulevard but expressing concern for how much development it'll bring. She's also very concerned about the bridge, as noted further up the thread–she said everyone is unhappy about the idea of paying a toll to cross the river. She said the new bridge is to be higher above the river than the current one so as to allow more boats to pass, so I can't imagine the current bridge wouldn't be demolished at least in part (perhaps leave the ends as fishing piers).
We used the road again leaving her place (this time I went up to US-90 to clinch it) and the 70-mph speed limit was in effect for a part of the route. The 60-mph limit applied in a "work zone" where there were no signs of any work.
As for the new Shands Bridge...
per the Florida Times-Union:
FDOT announced that motorists living near the Shands Bridge in Clay County would not have to pay a toll to get over the St. Johns River, provided they get on the Beltway right before the bridge and get off at the first exit after.
No new updates on any plans to extend it north of US-90 (Beaver Street)
It will probably never go north of US 90. Not unless they want it to reconnect it to Interstate 95 on the north end. That doesn't seem likely to me, but stranger things have happened.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 09, 2019, 03:47:41 PM
It will probably never go north of US 90. Not unless they want it to reconnect it to Interstate 95 on the north end. That doesn't seem likely to me, but stranger things have happened.
Nassau County would absolutely love to see it come north and connect with I-95 at Yulee. But it would have to reconcile with long planned updates to US-301 and besides Whitehouse Field (Navy) is in the way.
If it does, it will most likely be a tollroad, just as the other end of FL-23 will be.
Honestly, I think they want to get it finished to I-95 in St John's County and then re-evaluate it. That pretty much pushes any ideas out to 2024-2025.
Quote from: edwaleni on January 12, 2019, 03:29:26 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 09, 2019, 03:47:41 PM
It will probably never go north of US 90. Not unless they want it to reconnect it to Interstate 95 on the north end. That doesn't seem likely to me, but stranger things have happened.
Nassau County would absolutely love to see it come north and connect with I-95 at Yulee. But it would have to reconcile with long planned updates to US-301 and besides Whitehouse Field (Navy) is in the way.
If it does, it will most likely be a tollroad, just as the other end of FL-23 will be.
Honestly, I think they want to get it finished to I-95 in St John's County and then re-evaluate it. That pretty much pushes any ideas out to 2024-2025.
By that point we may no longer be in the area.
https://www.news4jax.com/traffic/fdot-hosts-open-house-to-preview-next-phase-of-first-coast-expressway
https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/fdot-tolls-for-first-coast-expressway-i-295-express-lanes-projects-to-take-effect-in-the-spring/77-7b686d44-4804-46fe-a3d3-45f440858039
It has been a while now, but has the tolling of the First Coast Expressway started yet?
Would it be possible to try to reconnect the First Coast Expressway to Interstate 95 on the north end, or is there too much development in the way for such to become reality?
Quote from: 02 Park Ave on May 01, 2019, 06:21:18 PM
It has been a while now, but has the tolling of the First Coast Expressway started yet?
To answer my own question, as of last Wednesday ( 15 May ) tolls were not being collected.
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on May 04, 2019, 02:57:04 PM
Would it be possible to try to reconnect the First Coast Expressway to Interstate 95 on the north end, or is there too much development in the way for such to become reality?
As noted earlier, it has been discussed and Nassau County would love to get connected to Cecil Commerce, but at the moment FDOT is focused on US-301 upgrades and finishing the FCE to St Johns County.
FDOT planners would have to reconcile how it would route around Whitehouse as well.
I took the time to survey the First Coast Expressway Extension (Phase 2) into Clay County Florida. (FL-23)
I was not able to stop and take pictures unfortunately.
While you will not see any signs of work at the terminus of FL-23 and Blanding Boulvard in Middleburg, there is plenty of work going on.
At Hanley Road the overpass is approximately 40% complete. Looking west from Hanley you can see the construction of the Black Creek Bridge is well underway. The formed pylons are standing on the east bank of the creek and work continues on the west bank.
Land grading from Hanley Road east and south to Sandridge Road is still in progress. The Sandridge Road overpass looks about 30% complete and they have the fill and tiles in on the north side of the road. It is very compact and when the trees grow back, it will be somewhat hidden from view. There is a housing tract to the west of the ROW, so i would assume a large sound barrier will go up just south of the overpass.
The next checkpoint was at FL-16 between Penney Farms and Green Cove Springs.
Here the overpass is much farther along. FL-16 is redirected to a shoofly and while the fill and tile sides are done, they are still pouring the center pylon for the expressway beams. The grading for the exit ramps is complete and you can see the grading is finished and the lighting installed all the way back toward Green Cove.
The next checkpoint was at Oakridge Avenue south of Green Cove. The overpass is again about 30-40% complete. No ramps here. The grading east of Oakridge was still quite primitive. Forest has been cut, but no semblance of roadway base yet.
At US-17 there is significant work on the overpasses and ramps. No crossbeams just yet, but the fill and tile was finished. The grading east of US-17 was much farther along.
On FL-16 going east, you begin to see the ROW around Old Shands Road to the south. The forest has been completely cleared and grading for the road is in progress.The clearing ends abruptly at a private property fence before Susan Drive.
No work on the new Shands Bridge has been initiated.
So I am going to guess but it appears based on the progress thus far, the section from where the current Shands Bridge is all the way to Hanley Road will be done first and opened first, and the Black Creek Bridge to Blanding Boulevard will be done last.
Once that is done, work will commence on the new Shands Bridge (Phase 3) The last proposal for the new Shands I saw looked just like the Buckman Bridge, so I wouldn't expect anything too glorious. The FDOT District in this area is weird about their bridge designs. 100% utilitarian.
What do you mean by "redirected to a shoofly"? I can't ever recall hearing that expression as to road construction before.
Setting aside that question, thanks for the updates.
Quote from: 1995hoo on October 18, 2020, 05:38:16 PM
What do you mean by "redirected to a shoofly"? I can't ever recall hearing that expression as to road construction before.
Setting aside that question, thanks for the updates.
Sorry. it's actually a railroad term. A temporary rail laid to go around an area of work.
In this situation they have both lanes moved over to temp pavement through the work area so they can finish the center pylon.
I can only assume once the center pylon is done, they will regrade/curb/pave the westbound side and push both lanes of traffic over there until the do the same with the eastbound side.
As for any signs of new development, I can say with the most certainty, the intersection of FL-23 where it currently ends at Blanding has changed dramatically since my last drive through.
Blanding is booming north of Middleburg and FDOT is currently upgrading it back to downtown Middleburg. Clay County is fixing some issues with FL-23 and CR-218.
I got pinged and they are saying the FCE will be opened first between the Shands Bridge to FL-16 west of Green Cove Springs as a sort of bypass. This makes sense as the US-17 interchange looked farther along as well as the ROW to FL-16 west of town.
Sometime when the ROW to Henley is 50-60% done, they will start the work at Blanding to add the needed overpasses for the final connection.
As for the SunPass terminals, I did see the cameras flashing to picture my plate and face.
Dusting this thread off. I was looking into the FCE project a bit more, and I see that there are plans to start construction on the St. John's River Bridge and extension to I-95 this year. According to the website, this document linked below looks to be fairly recent (from January this year). In all, though, I am somewhat amazed that they are saying this whole project will take to 2030. 7 years seems like a long time, but maybe the first year or two will be preliminary utility work? Also, I see the stretch currently under construction to just South of US 17 is slated to be completed in 2025. Given the progress I see on Google Maps, I am a little surprised this long given that it would look like it could realistically be done by 2024, but there may be other factors that I am not aware of. If anyone has extra context on the project beyond what I am seeing in the thread, I would love to know!
https://nflroads.com/FirstCoastExpressway/images/SR%2023_FCE_Entire%20Projct_LocationMap.jpg
Are there any plans to extend it north?
At present, no. In the future, maybe.
Quote from: ChiMilNet on June 25, 2023, 10:54:09 AM
Dusting this thread off. I was looking into the FCE project a bit more, and I see that there are plans to start construction on the St. John's River Bridge and extension to I-95 this year. According to the website, this document linked below looks to be fairly recent (from January this year). In all, though, I am somewhat amazed that they are saying this whole project will take to 2030. 7 years seems like a long time, but maybe the first year or two will be preliminary utility work? Also, I see the stretch currently under construction to just South of US 17 is slated to be completed in 2025. Given the progress I see on Google Maps, I am a little surprised this long given that it would look like it could realistically be done by 2024, but there may be other factors that I am not aware of. If anyone has extra context on the project beyond what I am seeing in the thread, I would love to know!
https://nflroads.com/FirstCoastExpressway/images/SR%2023_FCE_Entire%20Projct_LocationMap.jpg
I am pretty sure covid slowed *everything* down in this project. I mean just looking at some of my pre-covid comments of my survey from some 3 years ago, you would think it would be done by now.
The depth and riverbed sampling on the St John's River for the new Shands were done pre-covid as well. I remember with FDOT presenting the Shands bridge design ages ago. Basically a clone of the Buckman. Why? Easier to estimate, easier to bid, and easier to build.
I did traverse FL-16A not long ago and while some of the future ROW has had some trees cleared. I have a feeling that many new home owners on Silverleaf and off St Johns Parkway will not be amused that the forest in their backyards is allocated for a tollroad. The big thing for St Johns County and the tollroad is when they are done punching St Johns Parkway all the way to 9 mile road (where the new high school is) and the tollroad has a major interchange with the same parkway, it will complete something of an "inner" loop