Jacksonville, FL — WOKV has confirmed FDOT is making safety changes to the Buckman Bridge, which will lead to lanes closures on the West Beltway beginning this weekend. The announcement comes one week after two people were killed in a fiery crash after their car had broken down on the bridge.
FDOT says lanes on the bridge will be re-striped to narrow the lanes and create an emergency shoulder. Lanes will be reduced from 12 feet to between 10 and 11 feet. The speed limit on the bridge will be reduced from 65 to 55 mph.
“We always look for ways that we can improve safety. This plan to add emergency shoulders has been in the works for quite some time. We have chosen to accelerate that. It was planned to be at the end of March. But we have moved that forward in response to the need to balance that safety between construction workers that are working we want them to be safe. But we also definitely want motorists to be as safe as possible on the road as well”, said FDOT spokesman Hampton Ray.
FDOT had been in the early stages of a $10.5 million project that will eventually add overhead signage, message boards, as well as cameras. In recent weeks, crews adjusted lanes and eliminated the right emergency shoulder. A temporary emergency shoulder was created in the left lanes in both directions.
The circumstances of last week’s crash are still under investigation. WOKV reported when two people died in the crash. Their vehicle had been rear-ended by a pickup truck.
FDOT spokesman Hampton Ray says the crash accelerated their planning for the safety enhancements.
“We actually have community traffic safety meetings where we meet monthly with a group of individuals who care about safety on the roadway. We receive their feedback and then we make any changes that we can”, said Ray.
This weekend, southbound lanes of the West Beltway will be re-striped, beginning Friday afternoon and through Sunday morning. Next weekend, the northbound lanes will be re-striped. Look for periodic ramp closures both weekends.