Life in the
How the New First Coast Expressway
Commuting is about to get simpler for those in Clay County and its surrounding areas . Thanks to a visionary project known as the First
Coast Expressway — or FCX for short — nearly 80 % of
commuters in Clay will now have easier access to Duval County , a business hub . With slightly more than 220,000 residents , it means fewer clogged backroads and fewer lengthy commutes around Clay County . The roadway will connect I-10 to I-95 . “ I ’ m most excited about the additional access to resources and an economic engine coming through the county ,” says Crawford Powell , president of Clay County Economic
Crawford Powell
Development Corporation . “ Smart growth , proactive growth in a community , is always a cornerstone for a thriving community . This is one of those key infrastructure plans that will have a tremendous impact on Clay County .” Overall , the 46-mile expressway is a multi-lane , limited-access toll road that will cross over Duval , Clay and St . Johns counties once completed . As with many construction projects , the completion of a massive project like this doesn ’ t happen overnight . Construction began in 2013 on the expressway ’ s first segment , which included a toll collection .
Skipping tolls is possible on the trip from I-10 to New World Avenue and reverse , which allows access to the Cecil Commerce Center toll-free . Frontage roads between Oakleaf Plantation Parkway and Old Jennings Road are also toll-free .
Despite the massiveness of the three-segment project , all is running smoothly , Powell says . He ’ s optimistic it may even finish a year or two ahead of schedule .
Because of the area ’ s explosive growth , the expressway is expected to relieve congestion on other major roadways in the region . This will not only save daily commuters time on the road but will also be essential for storm-related evacuations in an area that sees hurricanes often .
Cars drive along the new St . Johns River Bridge in a photo rendering . Construction is expected to be completed in 2029 and cost approximately $ 334 million . The four-lane bridge will smooth traffic and create a higher clearance for marine vessels . Photo rendering courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation
| 4 | EVOLVE BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE