Plans are in hand for the construction of the last phase of the First Coast Expressway project in Florida. The work involves building a new bridge spanning the St Johns River that will link St Johns with Clay County.
This final phase is expected to cost US$595 million and the new bridge will include ramps that will ensure local drivers do not pay tolls. The project is being managed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The First Coast Expressway (FCE, SR 23) is a multi-lane, limited access toll road. Once complete, the expressway will cross parts of Duval, Clay and St Johns counties. Expressway traffic will pass through electronic toll gantries without stopping.
The gantries will contain an electronic system that will either detect the vehicle's SunPass transponder device or scan the vehicle's license plate for a toll-by-plate invoice in the mail. The total length of the proposed roadway is approximately 74km. The FCE will reduce congestion on other major roadways in the region, important not only for daily commuters but also critically important during times of storm-related evacuation.
