Construction on SR 9B Continues to Advance
Jacksonville's latest expressway construction project continues to move towards completion. Today, Metro Jacksonville shares an update on the status of State Road 9B which will eventually become Interstate 795.
About The SR 9B Project
SR 9B at and just south of I-295 East Beltway
About SR 9B - Phase 1
SR 9B at Cross Road Bridge.
About SR 9B - Phase 2
Phase 1 at Philips Highway. Phase 2 will connect Philips Highway with I-95.
How Much Does This Cost?
Aerial of Phase 2
Phase 1 of this 7.5 miles highway is scheduled to be completed in Fall of 2012, at an estimated cost of $68.5 million. Phase 2, which backers hope will open large tracks of land to commercial and industrial development and help St. Johns County's tax base expand, is anticipated to get underway in 2013. Phase 2 is estimated to cost $104.6 million to construct.
Article by Ennis Davis. Information from www.sr9b.com
SR 9B at and just south of I-295 East Beltway
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A new roadway connecting southern Duval County with northern St. Johns County has been in the plans since the mid 1970s. The new road will provide a vital link in the overall transportation system by ultimately improving access to Interstate 95 and relieving the heavily congested U.S. 1 and Old St. Augustine Road corridors in southern Duval and northern St. Johns counties near Jacksonville, Florida.https://www.sr9b.com/sr9b/AboutUs.aspx
Prior to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the project was on hold due to lack of funding. Although State Road 9B was not funded during the first round of ARRA projects, remaining funds became available from projects that came in under budget. By the end of 2009, the first phase of State Road 9B, from State Road 9A to U.S. 1, was finally funded. The construction of the second phase of State Road 9B between US 1 and Interstate 95 has been funded for a later date. However, the Florida Department of Transportation is working to form a partnership with the private sector to advance this project so construction can begin in early 2013.
The road will be constructed of concrete pavement and will initially have two travel lanes in each direction with 10-foot paved shoulders on the outside lanes, four-foot paved shoulders on the inside lanes, and an 88-foot center median. The speed limit is currently planned for 65 mph.
The State Road 9B corridor is designed to ultimately accommodate eight lanes of traffic, four 12-foot lanes in each direction, with 12-foot shoulders on each side of the roadway.
About SR 9B - Phase 1
SR 9B at Cross Road Bridge.
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Phase One of State Road 9B begins at State Road 9A and extends approximately three miles south where it will connect to US 1 at Gran Bay Parkway.https://www.sr9b.com/sr9b/Phase1.aspx
On the north end of the project, a new interchange between SR 9A and SR 9B will allow southbound SR 9A traffic to remain on SR 9A or enter SR 9B. Northbound SR 9B traffic will continue northbound onto SR 9A.
On the south end of the project, a new interchange will provide a direct connection between SR 9B and US 1 by way of signalized intersections. Turn lanes will be constructed both north- and southbound on US 1 for vehicles entering northbound SR 9B, and entrance and exit ramps will provide access between the two roadways.
Lane closures will be necessary on US 1 and SR 9A during construction, but will not be allowed during peak traffic times.
This project was bid as a design/build contract to accelerate construction and was awarded to the design build team of Archer Western Contractors / GAI Consultants.
About SR 9B - Phase 2
Phase 1 at Philips Highway. Phase 2 will connect Philips Highway with I-95.
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Phase two is proposed to extend State Road 9B from US 1 to Interstate 95 with an interchange providing access from southbound SR 9B to both north- and southbound Interstate 95. Access will also be provided from northbound and southbound Interstate 95 to northbound SR 9B.https://www.sr9b.com/sr9b/Phase2.aspx
The proposed State Road 9B/I-95 interchange is located about two miles south of the Old St. Augustine Road/I-95 interchange and four miles north of the County Road 210/I-95 interchange.
Also proposed in phase two is construction of the remaining ramps at the interchange with US 1, resulting in full access between SR 9B and US 1, both north- and southbound. An off-ramp from southbound SR 9B to Flagler Development is also proposed during phase two construction.
Right-of-way acquisition is complete and design is underway for this phase. Construction has been funded for a later date. However, the Florida Department of Transportation is working to form a partnership with the private sector to advance this project for construction in early 2013.
A public meeting was held January 19, 2012 regarding the construction of a noise barrier at the Interstate 95 and State Road 9B interchange. Based on the public's response, the Florida Department of Transportation will construct a 16-foot high noise barrier for the Bartram Springs/Villages at Bartram Springs and Flagler Station developments as well as a 22-foot high barrier for the Carlyle at Bartram Park apartment complex.
How Much Does This Cost?
Aerial of Phase 2
Phase 1 of this 7.5 miles highway is scheduled to be completed in Fall of 2012, at an estimated cost of $68.5 million. Phase 2, which backers hope will open large tracks of land to commercial and industrial development and help St. Johns County's tax base expand, is anticipated to get underway in 2013. Phase 2 is estimated to cost $104.6 million to construct.
Article by Ennis Davis. Information from www.sr9b.com