The Shands Bridge will be closed from Friday night until Monday morning for grating replacement, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
The closure, which starts at 9 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Monday, means drivers can expect a big detour if they usually take the bridge to get from Clay County to St. Johns County, and vice versa.
This is a look at what drivers will have to get used to over the next three weekends if taking the Shands Bridge is a part of their route. The detour is highlighted in the green.
Drivers can take U.S. 17 North through Clay County from Green Cove Springs, through Fleming Island and Orange Park, to the Buckman Bridge.
The detour continues on 295 to San Jose Blvd. in Mandarin and State Road 13 in Fruit Cove.
The bridge also had temporary closures in December and November for repairs.
Eventually, a new Shands Bridge will be built as a part of the First Coast Expressway project.
According to FDOT, the new bridge will have four lanes, and it will be 20 feet higher. It will be just south of the current bridge.
The current price tag is nearly $600 million, and the project is expected to be done by 2030.
In addition to tonight’s closure, bridge closures are planned for the following two Fridays, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting:
Friday, Feb. 2 at 9 p.m. through Monday, Feb. 5 at 4 a.m.Friday, Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. through Monday, Feb. 12 at 4 a.m. (if necessary)
Drivers seeking real-time traffic alerts may visit www.FL511.com or download the FL511 app.
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