Ponte Vedra area residents who take A1A south to St. Augustine will experience continuing changes in traffic patterns at San Marco Avenue. Construction to reconfigure and widen the intersection of San Marco Avenue, West San Carlos Avenue and May Street began in 2017, but because of weather delays the projected summer 2019 completion date has been pushed to late 2019. A project to improve drainage will commence when the intersection project is completed.
Traffic patterns changed significantly July 1 with the addition of dedicated right and left turn lanes, and median modifications. Further changes will include synchronized traffic signals, sidewalks, shared bicycle lanes and HAWK (High-intensity Activated crossWalK) pedestrian signals to improve traffic flow and bicyclist and pedestrian safety in the area.
The temporary traffic pattern implemented July 1 will allow the contractor to complete work on May Street. Westbound May Street traffic seeking to travel north on San Marco Avenue will use the right lane and continue north. Westbound May Street traffic seeking to travel southbound San Marco Avenue or to U.S. 1 will use the left lane. Traffic is expected to remain in this pattern until reconstruction work at May Street has been completed. Additional traffic shifts will be necessary for the contractor to safely complete the remaining work.
An approximate quarter-mile of storm water pipe on May Street from San Marco Avenue to the Hospital Creek Bridge, east of Magnolia Avenue will be replaced during construction.
Beginning July 15, northbound San Marco Avenue traffic north of Dufferin Street will continue to access the south connector to travel east on May Street or continue northbound utilizing the new slip lane, which ties into San Marco Avenue at the north connector. The northbound San Marco Avenue left turn movement to West San Carlos Avenue will no longer be available.
Removal of this left turn movement is necessary to safely complete signalization work at the intersection. A “No Left Turn” sign will be installed, and new pavement markings will denote the direction of travel for the northbound lane, guiding drivers into the new northbound slip lane.
Northbound drivers may use State Road 16 or another alternate route to access U.S. 1. Electronic message boards will be in place on San Marco Avenue to alert motorists of the planned traffic pattern changes.
Should lane closures be required, they are restricted to between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. For more information, visit bit.ly/maystreet2019.
Lane shifts anticipated near Visitor Information Center in St. Augustine
Intermittent traffic interruptions caused by construction at the corner of West Castillo Drive and North Ponce de Leon Boulevard may cause minor delays for several months.
Continuing through mid-November, but ending prior to Light-Up! Night on Nov. 23, drivers should expect lane shifts and intermittent closures along W. Castillo Drive to allow for heavy equipment and machinery present for construction at the site of the future San Marco Hotel.
Lane shifts in the westbound lane of W. Castillo will be marked. When necessary, flag workers will be present to direct traffic during periods of equipment maneuvering. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes to avoid increased traffic at this already very congested intersection.
For more information, call the St. Augustine City Manager's Office at (904) 825-1006.
