*Originally published on March 22, republished on March 25 as a timely reminder.
MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – On any given day, you’re likely to run into a traffic jam on Interstate 75 (I-75) due to something unpredictable.
But next week, we can guarantee things will be backed up.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued an advisory to alert drivers of periodic slowdowns along northbound I-75 north of U.S. 27 and southbound I-75 north of County Road (CR) 318 in Marion County.
FDOT says the slowdowns will take place during daytime hours Monday through Wednesday, March 25-27.
“Traffic will be briefly slowed down to 20 mph in both directions by Florida Highway Patrol troopers to allow Duke Energy to replace transmission lines above the interstate,” said FDOT in a release. “Once work is completed, traffic will be released.”
FDOT says troopers will also briefly stop traffic for 5 to 10 minutes at the State Road 326 on ramp to northbound I-75 and the CR 318 on ramp to southbound I-75 while this work takes place.
Bottom line: expect delays while this work is being done. If you don’t want to risk getting caught in the traffic, avoid I-75 and find an alternate route to your destination.
You can always check real-time traffic conditions on FL511, the state’s traffic monitoring website which also has a network of live cameras.