Oversized trucks hauling bridge beams up to 114 feet long will stop traffic near the State Road 13 and State Road 16 intersection through Friday, Sept. 18, the Florida Department of Transportation announced.

Five Beams a Day Feed New Bridge Construction

About five beams a day are arriving from Tampa to build the next three spans of the new Shands Bridge over the St. Johns River. Each truck must turn against the normal flow of traffic to reach the construction site off SR 16, forcing crews to halt vehicles at the intersection for 5 to 15 minutes per pass.

Afternoon Delays Expected Through the Week

FDOT's official Facebook page for Northeast Florida said drivers can expect delays between noon and 3 p.m. each day. Sara Pleasants, an FDOT community outreach specialist, told Action News Jax that trucks are most likely to arrive between 1 and 2 p.m. Exact arrival times are unpredictable because transit rules prevent the trucks from leaving Tampa before 9 a.m.

Pleasants said each stoppage should last 5 to 15 minutes, just long enough for the truck to clear the turn before crews reopen the road. She apologized for the inconvenience, calling the temporary disruptions a necessary step for the new bridge.

Beams Are Part of Larger Expressway Project

The beams range from 86 to 114 feet. They are part of the next construction phase for the new Shands Bridge, which is tied to the larger First Coast Expressway project.

Existing Bridge Stays Open During Deliveries

The existing Shands Bridge remains open during deliveries. FDOT advises drivers with afternoon commitments along SR 13 to add 15 to 30 minutes to their travel time or find alternate routes.

Nearby Resident Says Noise Is Worth It

Mac Mizell, a resident near the construction site, told Action News Jax he supports the work despite the disruption. "The noise they make when they're driving those posts in the ground is kind of annoying, but other than that, I'm happy to see it," Mizell said.

FDOT has not announced whether additional beam shipments will follow after Friday. Residents can check FDOT's Northeast Florida Facebook page for updates on the Shands Bridge project.