Worst intersection in town to get makeover

Project Manager Greg Caldwell reported to Historic City News that the St. Johns County Engineering Division will hold a public meeting to present improvements planned for the US-1 and SR-312 intersection.

“Congestion at the intersection is common during peak hours, and these intersection improvements are a key step toward alleviating the congestion,” Caldwell told Historic City News. “US-1 serves as the major artery for north and south-bound traffic in St. Augustine, and SR-312 serves as a major collector connecting Anastasia Island and St. Augustine Beach to the mainland.”

Many St. Johns County residents who regularly travel to the restaurants and shopping that surround the two overcrowded crossroads call it the “worst intersection in town”. County commission candidates as long as seven years ago campaigned in the median strip with signs that poked fun at the problem — “If you’re sitting in this, you know the need to manage growth”.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 5th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at the meeting room of the Ponce de Leon Mall, located at 2121 US-1 South. According to Caldwell, the meeting will be an “open house” with displays for the public to view the upcoming improvements, and project staff will be available to answer questions.

The intersection improvements will include a US-1 southbound right turn lane at SR 312, a second eastbound left turn lane at SR 312, a second northbound left turn lane at SR-312 and a third northbound through lane that will terminate at the Home Depot entrance.

All four mast arms at US-1 and SR-312 will be replaced, in addition to the strain poles with double mast arms in front of the Taco Bell and Mattress Firm entrances. The improvements also include a right turn lane on Bartola Genovar Road at US-1, as well as a right turn lane and new mast arm on westbound SR-312 at Old Moultrie Road.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2011 and last for approximately nine months. Due to the high traffic volume, all construction activities requiring lane closures will be limited to overnight hours between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am.

The US-1 and SR-312 project is part of a Development Agreement between St. Johns County and SR-207 Corridor Improvement Group, with all funding provided by the developer. The estimated cost is approximately $1.7 million.

In the interim, visuals detailing the proposed improvements are accessible on the St. Johns County Website.