King Street closes for drainage repairs

Sandra Manci reported to local Historic City News reporters that roadway drainage improvements on King Street, between US-1 and Malaga Street, are scheduled to begin on Monday, January 10th, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

The $577,000 project will replace the old drainage system, between Malaga Street and the San Sebastian River Bridge on King Street, with a new system that includes replacing pipes beneath King Street and constructing a new backflow prevention structure at the San Sebastian River.

Traffic impacts will be necessary on King and Malaga streets and Sebastian Harbor Drive during construction and will begin within the first weeks of the project.

The overall project will take approximately three months to complete — barring any unforeseen conditions such as rainy weather, or, findings of historical significance.

Beginning next week, eastbound King Street traffic will be detoured at US-1 to West Castillo
Drive to San Marco Avenue and back to King Street. Access to the businesses on King Street, between US-1 and the San Sebastian River Bridge on King Street, will remain open, although eastbound motorists will not be able to cross the bridge.

The detour will remain in place during most of the three month project.

Malaga Street will also be closed to through traffic at King Street for the first two weeks while crews replace drainage pipes beneath Malaga Street. Closing the intersection will also allow the City of St. Augustine to relocate sewer lines at the intersection of King and Malaga streets during the FDOT project.

Local traffic will have access to Malaga Street at US-1.

About half way through the project, San Sebastian Drive will be closed at King Street. During that time, motorists headed to the San Sebastian Winery and the police station will be detoured to Riberia Street.

Normal work hours are 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Fridays, but can occur at anytime.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by Sandra Manci