Changes considered for A1A

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) held a public hearing on June 23 at THE PLAYERS Community Senior Center to discuss the proposed improvements along A1A. 

The meeting began at 4:30 p.m. with an open house, where residents could look at maps of the proposed changes and speak to FDOT representatives about their questions or concerns. 

Following the open house, there was a video presentation from FDOT that gave an overview of the project. 

FDOT is proposing the following changes: 

• Fairfield Boulevard/Sawgrass Drive West will undergo re-routing of eastbound/westbound through and left-turn movements.

• TPC Boulevard/Country Club Boulevard will undergo re-routing of eastbound/westbound through movements. Northbound and southbound left turns will be offset at both intersections for improved visibility.

• Sawgrass Village Drive/L’Atrium Drive will undergo re-routing of eastbound/westbound through movements. 

• Solana Road will undergo re-routing of northbound left-turn and westbound through movements. 

• Merchants Plaza to Professional Drive will undergo an extension of the southbound auxiliary lane to improve merging from J.T. Butler Boulevard (State Road 202).

• Ponte Vedra Lakes Boulevard will undergo an extension of the eastbound right-turn lane.

According to FDOT, the proposed changes at A1A and TPC Boulevard are expected to reduce travel delays in the morning peak hour from 20 seconds to 8 seconds. The proposed changes will reduce travel delays in the afternoon peak hour from 38 seconds to 16 seconds. 

FDOT also claimed that the improvements at A1A and Sawgrass Village Drive are expected to reduce travel delays in the morning peak hour from 25 seconds to 10 seconds and in the afternoon peak hour from 37 seconds to 14 seconds. 

Beyond the reduction in travel times, project supporters say change is needed to improve safety in that area.

The cost of the project is an estimated $7.1 million, and overall FDOT said it is anticipated to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion for drivers traveling through the intersections. 

After the presentation, there was an opportunity for community members to voice their opinions and concerns about the proposed project. 

County Commissioner Krista Joseph praised community members for showing up in droves for the public hearing.

“The most important thing you can do is join the conversation,” she said. 

Joseph suggested possibly just choosing one of the proposed improvements instead of all of them. 

Several Ponte Vedra Beach residents voiced their concerns about losing palm trees, displacing wildlife and ultimately hurting the things that make up Ponte Vedra.

“At the expense of facilitating traffic north and south through the Ponte Vedra Beach community, they have compromised the quality of life of Ponte Vedra Beach,” said one community member. 

Several residents offered suggestions like lowering speed limits and putting in extra traffic lights. 

Municipal Service District of Ponte Vedra Beach Chairman Kitty Switkes also spoke at the hearing about the possible confusion the proposed changes could bring.

“It’s going to cause a lot of confusion, and I am not sure how school buses and trucks are going to make those U-turns,” she said.