North Florida Roads

Construction began the week of April 15 on the next phase of State Road 9B from U.S. 1 to I-95. The work starts with clearing land near U.S. 1 and continuing along the three-mile footprint of the new roadway during the next few months.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to open the first phase of the new road, from U.S. 1 to the I-295 East Beltway, this summer. This new roadway will help alleviate traffic congestion for motorists traveling between Duval and St. Johns counties as a limited access highway, similar to an interstate.

Superior Construction and Arcadis U.S. will design and construct the second phase of State Road 9B for $95 million. The work is expected to be completed by summer 2016.

Construction of this next phase includes:

• a new four-lane road between U.S. 1 and I-95
• a new interchange at I-95 and upgrading the interchange at U.S. 1
• adding entrance and exit lanes at the I-95 and U.S. 1 interchanges
• noise walls constructed at the I-95 interchange
• a new overpass at U.S. 1
• a new overpass at Veveras Drive in the Flagler Station community
• utility work along U.S. 1

Construction of State Road 9B from U.S. 1 to I-95 was accelerated by a public-private partnership between the Florida Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Development Partners. Infrastructure Development Partners is a collaboration between Deutsche Bank and Superior Construction.

A public-private partnership is a contract between a public agency and a private entity for the benefit of the general public. In the case of State Road 9B Phase 2, the partnership allows the project to move forward by providing immediate funding for construction. This project is the first public-private partnership in FDOT District Twos Northeast Florida area.