The Florida Department of Transportation has started construction on a new access road leading to the Jacksonville National Cemetery on the city’s Northside.
The new road will be approximately 3.4 miles connecting Lannie Road at the Ethel Road intersection to Arnold Road. That means drivers will be able to exit I-95 at Pecan Park Road to access the cemetery.
The DOT is also building bike lanes, ponds to improve drainage, and a new bridge over Seton Creek.
FDOT spokesman Hampton Ray spokesman said crews will also be coordinating with the cemetery to try and minimize the disruption.
“There will be a need for some pile-driving operations so we want to make sure there’s no funerals — you know, be respectful of the people that are visiting their loved ones there,” Ray said, indicating crews may reschedule work at times to be mindful of funerals or other solemn occasions.
The $12.8 million project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2021.
The 526-acre Jacksonville National Cemetery opened for burials in 2009 after the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003 authorized six new national cemeteries for military veterans and their families.
The Jacksonville National Cemetery is expected to meet the area's burial needs for more than 100 years, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
Contact reporter Cyd Hoskinson at choskinson@wjct.org, 904-358-6351 and on Twitter at @cydwjctnews.
