Intersection Improvements Advance at Pine Island Road and U.S. 1

4 August 2025
Category: SJC News Infrastructure
Tags: 2025

County project enhances safety and traffic flow in growing area

A significant intersection improvement project is nearly complete at Pine Island Road and U.S. 1, where St. Johns County is working to improve traffic flow and safety for residents in the rapidly growing northern area of the County. The Office of Public Affairs produced a video to highlight the project.

The project, managed by St. Johns County Public Works and funded by the State of Florida, includes new traffic signals, additional turn lanes, and upgraded road geometry designed to accommodate increased traffic volumes driven in part by new development in nearby Nocatee.

“With the connection of the development in Nocatee, it really increased the traffic to this intersection almost as a shortcut,” said Chris Gatchell, Project Manager for St. Johns County Public Works. “Adding this light provides a safer intersection for all the residents.”

Previously, Pine Island Road operated as a simple two-lane road with no turn lanes, creating congestion and potential safety issues for turning vehicles. The updated intersection design includes a dedicated left-turn lane and a right-turn lane for vehicles exiting Pine Island Road onto U.S. 1, both of which will be signalized.

“On Pine Island, it was just a two-lane road where you could go right or left from the same lane—and you had oncoming traffic,” Gatchell said. “Now we have a left-out lane and a right-out lane, both signalized, which will make turning safer and more efficient.”

On U.S. 1, a new turn lane was added to allow vehicles to queue without disrupting through traffic.

“There was no turn lane on U.S. 1 before,” Gatchell said. “Now people can queue in the turn lane instead of slowing traffic on the highway.”

While no direct through traffic will be allowed across Stratton Road, a new shortcut U-turn has been incorporated just north of the intersection for improved access and circulation.

The project began design in early 2023 and required coordination with multiple partners, including the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida East Coast Railway. Work included land acquisition, signal agreements, drainage upgrades, and engineering required to widen both roadways.

Construction began in Fall 2024 and is on track to be completed before the end of Summer 2025.

The Pine Island Road and U.S. 1 intersection improvements reflect the County’s commitment to enhancing roadway safety, supporting responsible growth, and improving quality of life for all County residents.

For more information on St. Johns County Capital Improvement Projects, please visit www.sjcfl.us/featured-projects.