Bridge replacement was anticipated to start in October, but is being pushed back.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A major bridge replacement over Browns Creek in Jacksonville has been put on pause after construction was anticipated to begin in October.
The Browns Creek Bridge along Heckscher Drive was built in the 1960s and received a poor rating during its latest inspection, so it needs to be replaced. The small bridge is one of the only routes connecting those along Heckscher Drive east to the rest of Jacksonville without taking a major detour through Nassau County or using the St. Johns River Ferry.
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First Coast News reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation about the status of the bridge replacement, since it was initially planned to begin in October. FDOT sent us the following statement:
“The Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study identified October 2026 as the anticipated start date for this bridge replacement project. Since completion of the study, additional evaluations have been determined necessary, and the anticipated start date is currently being reevaluated. A revised start date is not available at this time.”
First Coast News dug into FDOT’s tentative work program report that lists the Browns Creek Bridge Replacement project costing more than $54 million.
The scheduled activities document from the Office of Work Program and Budget that was updated Sept. 29, 2026 shows construction tentatively scheduled for June 2027, ending in fiscal year 2030. Keep in mind, this can all change.
This story was in response to a viewer who reached out to First Coast News Traffic Anchor Crystal Moyer.
If you have any questions about construction projects, traffic laws or need help solving any traffic issues in your neighborhood, email Crystal at cmoyer@firstcoastnews.com.