Bridge construction will close some Archer Road lanes

Construction will begin this evening on a 40-foot-long temporary bridge on Archer Road across from Shands at the University of Florida.

One lane of traffic at a time will be blocked between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Four lanes will remain open and Shands officials report traffic disruption should be minimal.

The bridge is expected to take five weeks to complete.

Once the bridge is completed, construction will begin on an underground tunnel that will link Shands UF with the Shands Cancer Hospital being built across the street.

The 440-foot-long tunnel will be divided into two underground corridors separated by a wall, with one side for use by patients and staff and the other for public use.

Construction has already begun at basement level beneath the Shands UF emergency department. The tunnel will cross beneath Archer Road about halfway between Newell Drive and SW 16th Street.

The tunnel work is expected to be finished by late November.

Diane Chun can be reached at 352-374-5041 or chund@gvillesun.com