I-95 and I-295 Interchange Construction Completion Delayed

Construction work on the I-95 I-295 interchange in Jacksonville, FL

News Summary

The Florida Department of Transportation has delayed the completion date for the I-95 and I-295 interchange construction to spring 2026. Originally set for 2020, this extensive project has faced delays due to weather, supply chain issues, and material shortages exacerbated by the pandemic. Valued at $176.8 million, the project aims to improve traffic flow and capacity at the interchange. Despite optimistic projections for spring 2025, further complications may extend the timeline. The state agency will hold the contractor accountable for delays, ensuring continued progress towards eventual completion.

Jacksonville, FL – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced that the completion date for the construction of the I-95 and I-295 interchange has been pushed back to spring 2026. The project, which was initially estimated to be finished by summer 2020, has faced numerous delays, primarily due to weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, and material shortages linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This construction project, valued at $176.8 million, began in November 2016. Even after recent projections set a more optimistic timeline for completion in spring 2025, the expected end date has been further extended. As of now, FDOT plans for the newly revised timeline to account for ongoing construction challenges, including weather-related delays that often affect progress during seasonal changes.

The main objective of the construction is to enhance traffic flow at the interchange by minimizing lane changes on I-295 and increasing traffic capacity on I-95. Specific improvements include the addition of two new lanes on I-95 between Cole Road and just north of the Broward River. Notably, northbound traffic on I-95 will experience an increase as it will feature six lanes through the interchange. Additionally, there will be a dedicated lane for southbound motorists transitioning from Airport Road to the I-295 eastbound flyover.

The interchange project also involves several new exit and on-ramps, designed to accommodate an anticipated increase in traffic volume. Traffic patterns in the area have become a concern; data shows that daily traffic through the I-295 interchange was approximately 54,000 vehicles in 2014 and is projected to double to 105,400 vehicles by 2040. Similarly, traffic on I-95 is expected to rise from 106,500 vehicles in 2014 to 140,000 vehicles by 2040.

As part of the ongoing improvements, construction crews were observed pouring concrete for the I-295 overpass at Main Street as of May 15, 2025. Although FDOT anticipates the project will take approximately nine and a half years to complete, the state agency has warned that further changes to the completion deadline may occur in fall 2025. These adjustments would likely be made to account for weather delays and other holdups during holidays when work typically cannot proceed.

To ensure accountability, FDOT has indicated that if the contractor, Archer Western, fails to meet the newly established deadline, the state may impose liquidated damages for delays to compensate taxpayers. The completion of the main interchange work will subsequently allow for additional construction efforts, including upgrades to highway lighting, modifications to ramps, and improvements at nearby intersections, until the entire project reaches its final stage.

The extended timeline for the I-95 and I-295 interchange construction highlights the ongoing challenges faced by large infrastructure projects, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, and underscores the importance of effective traffic management in one of Florida’s busiest regions.