2025 List of Priority Transportation Projects Advance Key Road, Safety, and Trail Improvements

• 16 December 2025
• Category: SJC News Infrastructure
• Tags: 2025

• St. Johns County approved its 2025 List of Priority Projects (LOPP) on Dec. 16, 2025, to guide transportation funding requests
• The LOPP identifies top road, intersection, and multimodal projects for state and federal funding through FDOT and the North Florida TPO
• Key priorities include State Road 16, County Road 2209, State Road 210, and improvements along U.S. 1 and A1A
• The plan also advances trail expansions, bike lanes, and “Sidewalks to Schools” projects to improve safety and connectivity
• Developed with input from the Transportation Advisory Group, the LOPP aligns infrastructure planning with rapid population growth
• Inclusion on the list is a critical step toward securing funding and advancing construction timelines for major County projects

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners approved its annual List of Priority Projects (LOPP) on Dec. 16, 2025, establishing a roadmap of transportation investments that will compete for state and federal funding over the next five years.

The LOPP, submitted annually to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), prioritizes roadway, safety, and multimodal projects for inclusion in FDOT’s Work Program for fiscal years 2027/28 through 2031/32.

What is the LOPP and Why It Matters

The List of Priority Projects is a critical planning tool that ensures St. Johns County’s most urgent infrastructure needs are competitive for regional and statewide funding.

• The County is responsible for prioritizing all transportation projects, including those within municipal boundaries.
• Recommendations are developed by the Transportation Advisory Group (TAG), a multi-agency team representing local governments, public safety, schools, and aviation partners.
• Only the top-ranked regional projects are most competitive for major state and federal funding allocations.

This process ensures alignment between local growth, regional mobility, and long-term infrastructure investment.

Top Regional Transportation Priorities

The Board maintained consistency in its highest-priority regional projects, signaling continued urgency for major corridor improvements:

1. State Road 16 Corridor Improvements (Top Priority)
   • Widening and intersection upgrades from the First Coast Expressway to east of I-95
   • Addresses increasing traffic tied to rapid growth
2. County Road 2209 Capacity Enhancements
3. U.S. 1 Intersection Improvements (North St. Johns County)
4. State Road A1A Intersection Improvements
5. State Road 210 Widening and Capacity Upgrades

These projects remained unchanged from the previous year, reinforcing their importance to regional mobility and safety.

A new regional priority was also added:

• San Marco Avenue / A1A Business Multimodal Improvements (City of St. Augustine request), supporting transit and multimodal connectivity.

Local Roadway Priorities and Community Input

In addition to regional priorities, the Board approved a list of local roadway projects addressing neighborhood-level mobility and safety.

One of the most discussed items was the County Road 305 extension, which remained on the list but at the lowest priority following a split vote by the Commission.

• Some residents expressed concern about potential development impacts
• Others emphasized safety needs and emergency access improvements

This reflects the County’s balancing of growth management, infrastructure demand, and community input.

Expanding Trails, Sidewalks, and Multimodal Access

Beyond roadways, the LOPP includes a robust set of transportation alternatives projects aimed at improving connectivity and quality of life.

Key initiatives include:

• Expansion of the Vilano Trail along State Road A1A
• New trail connections such as Orangedale to Mickler
• Bike lanes along major corridors like Palm Valley Road
• “Sidewalks to Schools” projects to enhance pedestrian safety near neighborhoods and campuses

These projects are structured in smaller, fundable segments to improve competitiveness for grants and state funding.

Strategic Impact: Supporting Growth and Mobility

As one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida, St. Johns County continues to prioritize infrastructure that keeps pace with development.

The LOPP supports:

• Congestion relief on major corridors
• Safety improvements at key intersections
• Multimodal transportation options for residents and visitors
• Economic development by improving regional connectivity

By advancing a coordinated list of projects, the County strengthens its position to secure outside funding while delivering long-term mobility solutions.

What’s Next

The approved LOPP will be transmitted to the North Florida TPO, where it will be evaluated alongside other regional priorities for inclusion in FDOT’s upcoming Work Program.

While many projects are years from construction, inclusion on the LOPP is a critical first step toward funding and implementation—ensuring St. Johns County remains proactive in planning for its future transportation needs.