CLAY COUNTY, Fla – Another newly constructed segment of the First Coast Expressway is set to open within the next two weeks in Clay County.
The Florida Department of Transportation said the stretch from Blanding Boulevard to U.S. 17 will help alleviate daily congestion on major roadways, including Blanding Boulevard, U.S. 17, State Road 16, County Road 220, Henley Road, Sandridge Road, Russell Road and County Road 218.
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Anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 daily trips will be diverted from these routes, easing strain on local infrastructure, FDOT said.
First responders will also have faster, more direct access to communities, improving response times.
Because construction on the First Coast Expressway from north of State Road 16 to east of County Road 209 is not yet complete, some ramps will remain closed to traffic.
Toll collection on the newly opened segment of the First Coast Expressway is expected to begin on Sept. 15. Toll rates for the First Coast Expressway are established by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and are available at www.firstcoastexpressway.com.
The Clay County segment of the First Coast Expressway includes construction of a new roadway from Blanding Boulevard in Middleburg running south and then east through Green Cove Springs, and includes a new bridge over Black Creek.
This segment is divided into a north project (north of State Road 21 to north of State Road 16) and a south project (north of State Road 16 to east of County Road 209).
Sacyr Construction began construction on the $229 million north project in winter 2019 and is expected to complete the project by fall 2025.
Superior Construction began work on the $180 million south project in spring 2019 and is expected to complete the project in mid-2026.
