JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Some Jacksonville drivers may have noticed construction crews and "Road Work Ahead" signs lining parts of Southside Boulevard.
That's because massive changes are coming to the road, especially where it intersects with Deerwood Park Boulevard and A.C. Skinner Parkway.
The changes are part of a $29 million project from the Florida Department of Transportation aimed at reducing traffic congestion and improving safety on Southside Boulevard, specifically between Philips Highway and J. Turner Butler Boulevard.
As part of the project, FDOT is repaving Southside Boulevard between Philips Highway and J. Turner Butler Boulevard. Drivers may notice uneven lanes in the area while crews finish up road enhancements.
Some other big changes include eliminating current traffic patterns to make way for new ones.
FDOT will replace a left turn signal at the intersection of A.C. Skinner Parkway and Southside Boulevard with a U-turn concept just north of the intersection. The road will include a combined right turn lane with access to A.C. Skinner Parkway and the Southside Service Road.
An identical U-turn will be added for southbound drivers trying to get onto Deerwood Park Boulevard from Southside Boulevard. Drivers heading northbound on Southside Boulevard who want to turn onto Deerwood Park Boulevard will see two new right turn lanes which will be controlled by a traffic signal.
The new U-turn upgrades will prevent drivers from turning directly at the intersection, reducing the number of conflict points or places where crashing can occur, thus making it safer.
FDOT says the change will lessen traffic congestion and provide more "green-light time" for drivers in both directions.
Drivers coming from A.C. Skinner Parkway wanting to head straight onto Deerwood Park Boulevard won't be able to do so with the new design. FDOT said the lanes connecting the two roads will be replaced with two left turn lanes onto Southside Boulevard, with a corresponding right turn lane onto southbound lanes controlled by traffic lights.
Other upgrades include changes to sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic signals, highway signs, drainage and more.
"This design choice was made through careful evaluation and study of the corridor to maximize taxpayer dollars while promoting safety and efficiency through the intersection," an FDOT spokesperson said about the project.
FDOT has made several changes to Southside Boulevard intersections, most recently at Gate Parkway and Beach Boulevard.
For anyone living near the construction zone - pack your patience.
"FDOT appreciates the patience of the public during construction and the understanding that these projects are a temporary inconvenience toward a more permanent transportation solution," said a FDOT spokesperson.
The project is expected to be completed spring of 2025.
For more information on the project, CLICK HERE.