ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – An already congested area of St. Johns County is getting a new tenant.
The Home Depot opened a new location Thursday morning at the World Commerce Center in St. Augustine, just off International Golf Parkway.
While the home improvement store is expected to bring about 150 new jobs to the area, the location could create a headache for drivers.
The Home Depot said it realizes this is a rapidly growing area in St. Johns County, which was part of the appeal for the new location.
Over the past few years, several businesses have set up shop in the area, including Costco, Bass Pro Shops and Buc-ee’s.
All the new businesses have created significant traffic congestion, and county officials are working to push road improvement projects forward to alleviate some of the headaches.
At last check, one project the county is working on is a $40 million effort that would add a ramp to connect I-95 to the commerce center loop.
St. Johns County officials are seeking to secure $32 million in federal funds and $8 million in state funds to make the ramp a reality.
There’s no word yet on where they are in terms of securing the money for that project.
