The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Public Information office just announced the following detour on King Street which will affect most of us in our Nation's Oldest City.

"Traffic on eastbound King Street at the U.S. 1 intersection near the Seabreeze Carwash will be routed onto a new detour that will be in place for approximately six weeks beginning September 24.  The detour will route eastbound King Street traffic north onto U.S. 1 returning to King Street at Cordova Street. This will allow construction crews to realign the turn lane at the southeast corner of the intersection and replace the signal.

All eastbound King Street traffic will be detoured north on U.S. 1, east on West Castillo Drive, south on South Castillo Drive, west on Cathedral Place, south on Cordova Street and back to King Street, just less than two miles. 

        A westbound detour that is currently in place will be completed prior to eastbound King Street being closed."

The work on the King Street and U.S. 1 intersection began June 9th and began affecting westbound traffic on King Street on August 5th.  This $1.1 million safety project is expected to be completed by early 2009. The project includes adding a new traffic signal at King Street and Malaga Street/Sebastian Harbor Drive, reconfiguring the dedicated turn lanes at King Street and U.S. 1, replacing the existing signal and sidewalk at King Street and U.S. 1, replacing and adding pedestrian signals with new signals that have a crossing time countdown display, replacing drainage pipes to meet current standards, adding wheelchair accessible ramps, and making minor modifications to the median at Daniels Street two blocks south of King Street on U.S. 1.

        For additional information regarding this project, contact the Public Information Office at 800-475-0044 or monica.reifeiss@earthtech.com.  For information about FDOT projects around Northeast Florida, visit www.northfloridaroads.com/goto/KingStreet.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)  has begun work on the much needed intersection improvements at A1A (AKA S. Ponte Vedra Blvd.) and Mickler Road. The improvements include adding a light and a turn lane. These improvements should help this accident-prone intersection.  The FDOT will be holding an open house on Thursday, September 4th to discuss the improvements. All are invited. Here are the details:

FDOT Open House

When: Thursday, September 4, 2008, 1-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.

What: Open house to discuss a road construction project at Florida A1A and Mickler Road

Who: Transportation officials will be available

Where: Crosswater Community Church at 1050 Florida A1A N.

The $2.2 million project, which was set to begin Tuesday, will involve resurfacing portions of the road and installing a traffic signal at the intersection.

The work will include resurfacing A1A from Gnarled Oaks Drive to Mickler, widening the road for new left turn lanes from A1A North to Mickler Road and Ponte Vedra Boulevard, replacing and realigning portions of the sidewalk from Gnarled Oaks to the Overlook business complex, constructing pedestrian islands at the intersection and constructing three drainage ponds. During construction, a temporary pavement and barrier wall will be on A1A, Mickler and Ponte Vedra Boulevard for traffic shifts and to protect workers and motorists. Daytime lane closures will occur during construction, but not from 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call, toll-free,(800) 475-0044, or e-mail monica.reifeiss@aecom. com.

There are so many interesting things happening on August 8, 2008 (yes, the Olympics begin to name one). I thought you'd be interested in knowing that the Traffic Safety Office at FDOT announced plans to  promote "8 hours of DUI enforcement in every jurisdiction in the State of Florida beginning at 8:00 PM on 08-08-08".

Interesting that only 4 of the 8 hours will actually occur on August 8th. Be good!