CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – To provide congestion relief to commuters in Clay County, the Florida Department of Transportation will open a newly-constructed segment of the First Coast Expressway (State Road 23) from Blanding Boulevard (State Road 21) to U.S. 17 within the next two weeks, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting.
Once open to traffic, the First Coast Expressway 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. Approximately 5,000 to 8,000 daily trips will be diverted from these routes, easing strain on local infrastructure. Additionally, first responders will gain faster, more direct access to communities, improving response times and accelerating critical care delivery.
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 at this time.
