Mile of traffic backed up on 17 Bypass while construction crews work

As of 4 pm, traffic is still backed up for more than a mile in southbound lanes of US 17 Bypass on Thursday afternoon.

The traffic back-up began before 1:30 pm and starts in front of the store “Jammin Leather” and stretches to north of the Harrelson Blvd. overpass.

Construction crews have closed the right lane at the Port Drive entrance to the Bypass so they can add an acceleration lane onto US 17 Bypass south from Port Drive, which is the frontage road at Jammin Leather.

The traffic tie up will add at least 25 minutes to any driver heading south on the Bypass.

There is no word on how long the traffic problem might last.