JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The daily commute for thousands of Jacksonville drivers could be changing.
The Florida Department of Transportation wants to know what drivers think about an idea to streamline where Interstate 95 meets Emerson Street. FDOT is proposing a median U-turn for the intersection.
Right now, drivers coming off the Hart Expressway looking to get onto I-95 turn right to go north and right to go south. This means the right lane of Emerson Street often gets backed up to Spring Park Road when the light turns red.
FDOT's plan is to have southbound drivers U-turn into a median space, then turn right onto I-95. This way, southbound vehicles will cue in a median, out of the way of other vehicles looking to go north on I-95 or continue along Emerson Street.
“It backs up over here," said Annie McQueen, who works near the intersection. "It backs up going toward Phillips Highway.”
McQueen sees the line at Emerson and I-95 grow constantly as drivers get into the right lane to go North or South on I-95.
In fact, she says her co-worker does her best to avoid the line to get on this ramp altogether.
“She was telling me she already goes down to the gate station, turns around, and comes back this direction to get up on 95," said McQueen.
Her coworker may be on to something, and she may not have to turn into a business to do it soon.
The Florida Department of Transportation proposed adding a median u-turn for drivers heading southbound.
“Every intersection is different," said FDOT Spokesperson Hampton Ray. "We each have unique communities we live and work in. Jacksonville is very unique.”
Ray says the median u-turn would be similar to what drivers experience at Beach and Southside Boulevard.
“Eliminating those hard left hand turns is really a net positive for any intersection configuration," said Ray.
McQueen thinks it’ll be an improvement on the current set-up, but only if it times up right.
“I would worry, though, about the timing of the lights," said McQueen. "If they don’t get that right, then it could be a mess.”
This proposed project is tied into the lane widening project on I-95, so the timeline for when it could be completed is years away.
If FDOT does build a median U-turn at the intersection, construction would be completed in Spring 2028.
But, transportation officials wanted the public's input about the proposed changes before the project is set in stone.
FDOT hosted two meetings where officials gave a presentation, and the public asked questions and gave feedback on the possible changes.
“At the end of the day, the folks who drive this intersection are really the ones who are going to need to buy into what we do and these improvements," said Ray.
Now, FDOT officials will take that feedback to see if the project needs any tweaks.
Click here for a video of the proposed changes at the I-95 and Emerson Street intersection.