Oversize Permit Changes Linked to I-295 Florida Construction
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Quick guide for carriers and dispatchers. This page explains how ongoing work at the I-95/I-295 interchange affects permit rules and routing. You’ll find clear steps to pick the right option for your vehicle and route, and simple tips for safe moves through shifting lanes and detours.
What you need to know now: The State Permit Office issues annual Blanket, Vehicle-Specific Blanket, ten-day Trip, and three-month Route-Specific Blanket permits. Some of these require a defined route, which matters when interchange phasing changes access.
Call the office at (850) 410-5777, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. The office is in the Barry Building, 3185 South Blairstone Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32311. Use that contact for route questions or fast clarifications.
Bottom line: This introduction gives a short action plan: choose the right permit, confirm routes early, and time moves around lane shifts. Follow the guidance here to protect your schedule and your load.
What the I-95/I-295 construction means for oversize and overweight moves in Florida
FDOT now targets spring 2026 for completion of the I-95/I-295 interchange, so carriers should revisit routing plans. The $176.8 million effort will add lanes and reduce required lane changes once finished, but the site remains active now.
Short-term effects: Expect periodic ramp reconfigurations, temporary closures, and shifting lane patterns that affect when a vehicle can pass safely. Crews were pouring concrete for the I-295 overpass at Main Street as of May 15.
Confirm current alignments before you request a permit and build schedule buffers for weather or holiday-driven deadline shifts. The florida department transportation and department transportation crews may update access windows, so plan escorts and staging with extra margin for safety.
- Added I-95 lanes aim to improve flow, but intermittent closures can change timing windows.
- Temporary barriers and changed merge distances may affect turning radii for tall or wide loads.
- Night moves need pre-checks for flagging and lane restrictions.
| Item | Impact | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Timeline (spring 2026) | Ongoing phase shifts | Build schedule buffers; verify daily lane maps |
| Added lanes on I-95 | Improved long-term flow | Plan final routing after permanent alignments open |
| Active pours & bridge work | Narrowed widths near ramps | Conduct on-the-ground checks; adjust escort needs |
Oversize permit changes linked to I-295 Florida construction work
Before you file, verify whether the load crosses legal width, height, length, or weight thresholds.
When your vehicle or load needs a permit: A permit is required if width exceeds 102 inches (or 96 inches on travel lanes under 12 feet), height tops 13’6″ (14′ for automobile transporters), or length passes single-unit limits (over 40 feet) or 48 feet for tractor‑semitrailers. Check kingpin distance; 41 feet from center of the rear axle group to kingpin is a frequent compliance pitfall.
Also note front overhang beyond 3 feet, or gross weight above §316.535 limits, will trigger a permit. In narrowed lanes near the interchange, treat usable width as the 96‑inch threshold and adjust route or timing for clearances.
- Penalties: up to $1,000 per dimension violation by the foot and $0.05 per pound over weight.
- Trip options cover 10 days; blanket coverage can extend up to 12 months.
Stay proactive: Check current lane widths, plan escorts and spotters, and coordinate with the florida department transportation and the florida department State Permit Office before finalizing routes. This protects schedule and safety during active work near the interchange.
Choosing the right Florida Department of Transportation permit for your move
Decide whether a short-term trip or a blanket solution fits your route frequency and load profile. That choice affects paperwork, turnaround time, and how often you must verify active lane maps near major corridors.
Trip permits (ten days)
Use a trip when you have a single origin-to-destination run and can define the route in advance. A trip lasts ten days and gives dispatch room to work around minor weather or lane shifts.
Annual Blanket and Vehicle-Specific Blanket; three-month Route-Specific Blanket
Annual Blanket covers recurring moves within set limits and cuts repetitive filings. Vehicle-Specific Blanket fits equipment with steady specs and speeds approvals.
Three-month Route-Specific Blanket locks an approved path through constrained corridors for repeated runs during active phases.
- Trip for one-offs; blanket for frequent routes.
- Route-specific when detours or narrowed lanes affect your corridor.
- Confirm route definitions before filing and keep the State Permit Office number handy: (850) 410-5777 (Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM).
For practical guidance and filing details, see our state oversize guidance.
Move forward with expert guidance and timely permits
Start every run by checking active alignments and confirming routing with the state office. Call the State Permit Office at (850) 410-5777, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM for quick validation before you request permits.
Plan around the spring 2026 timeline and expect schedule shifts for weather or holiday delays. Use department transportation updates for real-time lane maps that affect your vehicle dimensions and path.
Coordinate early for critical deliveries and use blanket coverage for repeated corridors when possible. Keep a short checklist—dimensions, weights, escort needs—and give drivers turn-by-turn updates so every vehicle moves safely and predictably.
