The Florida Department of Transportation will start work next month on the Interstate 10 and U.S. 301 interchange project.The interchange is located outside of Jacksonville and is designed to accommodate increased truck traffic in the area.

The interchange primarily benefits trucks making the northbound U.S. 301 to eastbound Interstate 10 movement. Trucks making that turn are usually headed to Jacksonville or locations to the north. Truck traffic often backs up waiting to make the turn toward Jacksonville on Interstate 10.

The project will include new ramps and bridges to correct for deficiencies that include substandard loop ramps, insufficient deceleration ramp length, substandard vertical clearance under the bridges and other problems.

“This route is a critical part of the regional transportation network,” said Pete Sheridan of VIA Consulting Services, which will oversee the construction.

The $65 million project was awarded to Superior Construction of Jacksonville and comes on the heels of the $67 million widening of the U.S. 301 north of Baldwin that was completed last year.

“FDOT understands the relationship between sound infrastructure and local economies,” said Sheridan. “This project is designed to assist the movement of goods through this part of Florida.”