Just back--I-95 trip report.

[Uncleromulus]

Left last Friday at 3:30 AM (to avoid DC rush hour). The new "Flyover" seemed to work quite well. For every car that took the flyover I-95 direct, there were 4 or 5 heading off to the right and into the mixing bowl itself. Of course this was at 5:15 AM, so I don't know how it would be during rush hour itself. And of course at the end of the flyover you are right back onto the "regular" I-95. But at least you avoid all the lane changing/ merging that gives the mixing bowl it's well deserved reputation and that is worth a "thumbs up"!! And should add also that the direction signs are easy to follow--
Only construction zones we encountered were in Ga.( between Savannah and Brunswick) and several spots in Florida. But not a soul was working and no delays whatsoever!! Decided to take I-95 straight thru Jacksonville, and was gald we did--tons of major construction at the "end" of the 295 by-pass where it meets I-95 and it looked like it would be a mess.
Pleased to answer any questions about where we stayed, time, etc.

 

[sperk99]

What is the flyover???

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,

To add to what sperk99 asked, is the route to stay on I-95 and use this 'flyover' well directed?

Thanks for the report,
Mark

 

[Uncleromulus]

The flyover is a new route that people who are using I-95 straight thru can take to get past the mixing bowl. It goes above the "regular" I-95 which is where everyone merges together from the other DC highways (495, etc to create the mixing bowl. Before, if you took I-95 over the Wilson Bridge, you had to merge to the right, get in with all the local traffic trying to merge right and left, then merge your way back again to get on the part of I-95 that heads South, to Va,. and beyond. That's the mixing bowl and it's hell especially at rush hour.
This new route is well marked and now you can stay to the LEFT. Just take the route clarly marked I-95. You'll "fly" over and beyond the mixing bowl and be back on I-95 where you can continue heading South.

 

[Mark P.]

Thanks again!
When we drove down this past March, I noticed the construction there, and was wondering it was for avoiding the mixing bowl.

 

[KristiT]

Uncleromulus-

We are also trying to decide between I-295 or going thru Jacksonville. So, it was a straight shot going thru? No construction to be aware of? We took I-295 around in December and it was a mess at the end. It was very stressful trying to hurridly read the construction signs telling you which way to go. We're hoping to avoid that this time.

Also, it has been years since we went thru Jacksonville, but I remember that we had to make a left turn to stay on the interstate. If we get in the left lane going thru Jacksonville, will we be safe? Any details would be appreciated.

Kristi

 

[ducklite]

We've driven down and back three times since July, and always gone straight through J'Ville with no problems.

Anne

 

[MinnieGi]

I've seen the "flyover" being built and have always commented about the height of it. I've never seen a road so high from the ground! Could you feel the height of it?

 

[magictrickboy71]

Howdy everyone,

Now I'm a little confused. We are leaving tomorrow night at 6pm from NJ and I understand the Flyover but I am confused by this I-95 - I295 thing. Don't I just stay on I-95 until I get to I-4. Am I incorrect?

Thanks for the help,
Frank

 

[cranbiz]

The 295 thing in Jax is either take 95 thru Jax, possibly getting stuck in traffic at the I95/I10 interchange or going around Jax using I295. There is MAJOR construction at the I95/I295 interchange south of Jax and it will cause you BIG headaches during the daylight hours.

I just got back from FL Monday and drove I95 the whole way.

The problems that I had, coming from MA.


Providence RI, Rush hour, delays on I195

NJ Turnpike Nite Construction, delay of about 1/2 hour,

MD Nite Construction in multiple places, delay of an hour. Did Wash/Alexandria at 2AM , no problems.

\The only other construction delay was north of Brunswick GA, 1 hour delay because of an accident blocking the only 2 thru lanes. This took an hour to clear.

Jax at rush hour, slow but moved. I'm also glad that I did not opt for I295 there, it was a BIG mess.

Left Carver , MA at 5PM, arrived in Deltona FL at 5:30 PM

Going home , left Deltona at 5:30pm on Sunday and had no delays. I'm sure the Columbus Day holiday helped tremendously and I was in Alexandria by 5am, but shot right thru. Used the GW bridge both ways with minor traffic.

Home by 3:30pm on Monday.

 

[Uncleromulus]

KristiT:
WE went thru Jax on I-95 on Saturday morning, about 8:00 AM. No construction. All that construction where 295 and 95 meet up didn't affect 95, but it sure seemed that it would make problems for those who used 295 and were trying to get back on 95. This all appears to be MAJOR construction and will likely be around a long while. And yes--the" left turn" is still there . That's what's so dangerous about 95--slowing down from 70 to 30 to make a left turn on an Interstate!! Scary..but the key is to at least be in the left lane when you come to that area.

Minnigi:
Didn't really feel the height--of course, it was still pitch dark when we got on. I seem to recall the have a wall of some sort that sort of minimizes the height thing. Of course, it is "elevated" and it'll be interesting to see how it fares in ice/snow. DC/Va is hardly known for their snow removal efforts and keeping this safe will take more than their customary attention.

magictrickboy71:
You have the option-when you reach Jax, to go straight thru on 95, or take the 295 by-pass around Jax. Almost exactly like taking the 295 by-pass around Richmond, or just staying on 95. Normally we'll take that 295 by-pass around Jax, but now with all the construction near the end (where it rejoins 95) it's as much or more of a stressful event than that aforementioned left turn on 95 in Jax. One way or the other it isn't "pretty"--