West Beltway Express Lanes set to open this Saturday

Jacksonville, FL — Finally, the long-awaited opening of the Express Lanes on I-295 through Mandarin will happen this weekend.  The Florida Department of Transportation says it expects to open the tolled lanes from I-95 to the Buckman Bridge on Saturday, May 18th.

During the peak travel times of 6-10am and 3-7pm Monday through Friday, a minimum toll price of 50 cents will be set. It will be adjusted based on the level of congestion in the Express Lanes.

Non-peak hours and weekends will be free. That decision was made through the direction of Governor DeSantis, according to FDOT spokesman Hampton Ray.

“We have decided to use ‘time of day’ tolling for the new I-295 Express Lanes in Jacksonville. This means tolls will be charged only during peak travel times. Non-peak travel times, express lane use will be free”, said FDOT Secretary Kevin Thibauld.

You will need a Sunpass in your vehicle in order to drive in the Express Lanes during the peak hours, otherwise you can expect a ticket from the State of Florida.

The $89 million Express lanes project started in 2014, and WOKV has followed the project including multiple delays.

A second set of Express Lanes is under construction on the East Beltway from State Road 9B to JTB.  Those lanes will have a similar peak-hour toll.  Non-peak hours and weekend will be free on the the East Beltway.  That nearly $140 million project began in 2016 and is set to wrap up later this year.