Buckman Bridge 6-week repair begins for damaged finger joint

UPDATE Sunday, July 18, 11:45 a.m.:

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Buckman Bridge has reopened early this weekend.

FDOT announced Sunday morning the Southbound lanes of I-295 over the Buckman have reopened. The bridge was originally scheduled to stay closed till 5 a.m. Monday.

The bridge is expected to close again Friday, July 23 at 9 p.m. and will reopen Monday, July 26 at 5 a.m., according to FDOT.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Beginning Friday, July 16, the Buckman Bridge will undergo a 6-week repair to a damaged finger joint, according to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

To get real-time traffic updates drivers can visit FL511.com or download the free app.

Repairs were originally scheduled to begin July 9 but were delayed.

Drivers can expect double lane closures on the southbound lanes of the bridge beginning at 9 p.m. Friday night until the following Monday at 5 a.m.

Officials say two lanes will remain open throughout the duration of the weekend and all lanes will be open during peak hours weekdays.

Action News Jax told you a number of early morning commuters called Florida Highway Patrol and FDOT to report visible damage to the bridge on May 27.

Inspectors determined southbound traffic needed to be closed for repairs of the bridge’s interlocking steel expansion joints. DOT crews from around the region, including Jacksonville, Gainesville and St. Augustine, installed metal plates until permanent repairs could be made.

The 8-hour shutdown created a traffic nightmare for many Jacksonville drivers who commute between Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties.

“There’s no cause for concern in regards to the structure,” FDOT representative Hampton Ray told Action News Jax in May. Ray said FDOT has engineers assessing the components of the temporary repair multiple times a day to “make sure that everything’s still operational.”

Following the shutdown, Action News Jax requested the latest inspection of the Buckman Bridge from FDOT.

The latest report on the Buckman was completed in April of 2019. The bridge received a 96 Health Index out of a total 100 points.

The Florida Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) produces a national and state report card.

According to ASCE the national average is a ‘C’.

Florida has a ‘B’ average.

FDOT maintains 12,000 total bridges across the country including 7 in Northeast Florida.

Due to the reduced traffic capacity for this work, FDOT said drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and expect delays during the weekend travel over the bridge.

Officials say repairs are expected to be complete in August, weather permitting.

You can stay informed about lane closures and roadwork in your area by following FDOT District 2 at @MyFDOT_NEFL on Twitter or at MyFDOTNEFL on Facebook.

Investigates: Buckman Bridge passed last inspection

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