The long and winding roads to and from Amelia Island

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
April 12, 2021

Commuters to and from Amelia Island have almost become used to road construction slowdowns. Fairly common along SR 200 A1A the construction work takes its toll on both commuting time and drivers’ anger management skills.  Many drivers avoided the problem by taking the more scenic southern route along Hecksher Drive.  That peaceful route now includes a long stop at Myrtle Creek, where two-lane traffic becomes one-lane to allow FDOT to widen a bridge and add to the existing bike path.

But take heart.  At lease part of the problem should be solved in a few weeks.  According to FDOT spokesman Hampton Ray, “The State Road 200 improvements are expected to be completed and in their final configuration within the next couple of weeks, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. Both [the road and the interchange] projects along the corridor are nearing their conclusion with remaining work including asphalt and safety inspections. The additional lanes will not open until all safety requirements are satisfied.

“We appreciate the public’s patience during this project. With the growth in the region the additional lanes will help with increased traffic volumes. FDOT maintained two lanes throughout construction along the corridor; remaining opened for motorists during the improvements. “

That’s the good news.  Regarding the southern commuting route, Ray wrote, “Heckscher Drive is currently under construction at the Myrtle and Simpson Creek bridges. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2023, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. The construction work requires a temporary traffic signal to be in place to allow crews to construct a new bridge and connect bicycle paths. The temporary traffic signal is expected to be in place until the conclusion of the project.”

So there you have it.  You can still enjoy the scenic southern route along Hecksher, but probably more so if you practice deep breathing exercises.

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Nicholas Velvet
Nicholas Velvet (@guest_60799)
2 years ago

WHAT!!!!!! One bridge that was started last year now will not be done until to SPRING 2023?? God I hope this was a typo. A1A was to be done, complete in 2019…..then 2020…..then January 2021 and still we wait. Two lanes open all the time? Where is this guy speaking of?~~~Not the A1A that we know and love(not).

Is this still the same country that built entire airfields in weeks not years in WWII, Korea and Vietnam? Heaven forbid workers would have to work!!!! Take a tour out on A1A folks. One “worker” driving a front end loader, 5 repeat 5 supervisors all with cell phones to their ears watching ONE guy “work”. Your tax 1,000.00’s(used to be dollars) at work.

Not to worry Stimi money is on the way folks and “make work” is on the way. What else?…..pave more roads!

You just cannot fix stupid.

Mark Fenn
Mark Fenn (@guest_60807)
2 years ago

I am glad there will be a universal confluence of issues and program money to increase infrastructure spending. I assume the need to spend will arrive right when SR200 is wrapping up. As you point out the road is under-planned so will of course need some of that infrastructure money that will be available. I envision a 20 year project to put over passes at the major intersections along SR200 to fix the poor design used for the current project. I am hoping the planners will have the foresight to add light rail to JAX into that project as well.

Perry Laspina
Perry Laspina (@guest_60817)
2 years ago

Hi Nicolas, I’ve witnessed the same activity at that work site numerous times since last year. Too many CHIEFS and not enough Indians to get the job done swiftly!!!

John Whitlow
John Whitlow (@guest_60801)
2 years ago

I love those left turn lanes into oncoming traffic, SR 200 is an accident waiting to happen.

Perry Laspina
Perry Laspina (@guest_60818)
2 years ago
Reply to  John Whitlow

You certainly hit the nail on the head on that one!

Cornell Rudov
Cornell Rudov (@guest_60804)
2 years ago

The A1A/200 road project has been and will continue to be a disaster. Before it is completed we already know it is unable to accommodate the increased traffic that has developed from when the project first started. Further, the traffic signaling will ultimately kill many people as few people stop when the lights turn red. In my next life I want to come come back as “Bob” as in Bob’s Barricades. He is the only one who benefitted from this poorly designed and executed project.

Eileen Widerman
Eileen Widerman (@guest_60806)
2 years ago

While Heckscher Drive is indeed beautiful, the same can’t be said for 200. I don’t know why planners couldn’t make the road from I95 to the Island a welcoming gateway. An example of what could have been is the road from I95 to Hilton Head through Bluffton. All the commercial tracts and stores are behind trees. Many have entrances with beautiful fountains and plantings. We have strip mall after strip mall. The center islands are carpeted in brown-water starved grass instead of heat tolerant plants, palm trees, or wild flowers. It’s still possible to beautify what we have by adding more trees for screening along the sides of the road.

JamesHammett
JamesHammett (@guest_60814)
2 years ago

Who ever approved of the plan to do the SR 200 expansion project would be fired in the private sector.

I have never seen such disregard of taxpayers money.

Traffic delays, poor supervision of work, when there was work, business access issues, little to no traffic control, contractors disregard of effects of work on traffic, little to no speed control, and as of this day traffic still backs up for miles .

This has been going on for years. I lay the majority of blame on FDOT, and the local representatives who claim they got the project approved. They approved this mess as a part time issue. It has turned into over a 4 year mess with delay after delay.

Every official , both FDOT, political state representative , contractors and local county representative should be terminated for wasting taxpayers time and money.

Perry Laspina
Perry Laspina (@guest_60816)
2 years ago
Reply to  JamesHammett

I agree with you 150% James, it is a JOKE!!!

Chris Chaney
Chris Chaney (@guest_60815)
2 years ago

I just don’t understand how they could forget to add lighting. I like the lighting on the i-95 ramps. Why does SR200 have to be so dark? It is good to see work starting on Pages Dairy Rd to really help out with traffic even more. Lights would be nice there too.