Three southbound lanes of I-95 near Butler Boulevard slammed shut Tuesday evening after a crash, injuring at least one person and choking off traffic through one of Jacksonville's busiest interchanges. Crews worked to clear the scene.
According to News4JAX, the crash involved injuries, but the number of vehicles involved was not specified in the report. The blockage forced drivers into a single open lane on southbound I-95 at Butler Boulevard, and the outlet reported that lanes later reopened as crews worked the scene.
The crash adds to a rough stretch for the I-95 and Butler Boulevard interchange, one of Duval County's most heavily traveled junctions. FDOT traffic data reviewed by the Center for Urban Transportation Research shows the segment between Butler Boulevard and University Boulevard carries up to 125,000 vehicles a day, making even a partial lane closure enough to trigger gridlock during peak hours.
A Familiar Trouble Spot
This is not the first time the interchange has ground to a halt. Back in June, a five-vehicle crash at the same junction injured a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office patrol officer and shut down all northbound lanes for hours, as reported by News4JAX. And in late May, a wrong-way collision on J. Turner Butler Boulevard itself killed two people, according to 104.5 WOKV.
The Florida Department of Transportation has flagged this corridor for major upgrades. FDOT's proposed I-95 improvements from J. Turner Butler Boulevard to Atlantic Boulevard specify five general-use lanes and one auxiliary lane in each direction, according to project materials from Northeast Florida Roads. The corridor last saw major capacity widening back in 1999.
What Duval Drivers Are Up Against
Jacksonville's traffic-safety challenges add context to the pattern playing out on I-95 this year.
Drivers approaching stopped vehicles or emergency responders on Florida interstates should use caution, move over when possible, or slow down to protect themselves and roadside workers.
Motorists stuck behind blocked lanes or stalled vehicles on Jacksonville interstates can seek help from the FDOT Road Ranger Service Patrol, a free roadside assistance program, according to First Coast News. Road Rangers typically work crash scenes alongside Florida Highway Patrol troopers to help clear blocked lanes faster.
Investigation Still Early
A detailed account of what caused Tuesday's crash and how many vehicles were actually involved will likely take time to emerge.
A formal crash report could provide more detail once it becomes available. Until that report surfaces, the number of vehicles involved and the full extent of injuries from Tuesday's crash remain unclear.
