St. Johns County is gearing up for a significant infrastructure project that will impact traffic flow along Watson Road. Beginning February 10, road closures will come into effect as work starts on a new sewer transmission main, according to an announcement by the St. Johns County. The construction aims to upgrade the sewer system and will take place west of US Highway 1, extending the sewer line from US Highway 1 along Watson Road up to the Deerfield Trace community, and further west to I-95, then north to State Road 207.
The work is planned in four phases and is expected to continue through August, weather and conditions permitting. In an effort to minimize disruption and expedite construction, east and westbound Watson Road traffic may be diverted to US 1 via Datil Pepper Road. Though traffic might suffer some inconvenience due to the detours, access east of Datil Pepper Road for residents to their homes will be maintained throughout the period.
Devising ways to navigate these changes, drivers should remain cautious and adhere to the instructions provided by construction crews on-site, as well as the traffic signs posted in the area.
Behind the project is a statewide push to improve water quality and adhere to updated environmental standards. The initiative is part of the response to Senate Bill 64 which requires the elimination of non-beneficial discharges of effluent into surface waters, the county explained. By diverting wastewater to the new Water Reclamation Facility that is under construction north of SR 207, this phase of the project aims to reduce surface water discharge into the Matanzas River by one million gallons each day, hence diminishing the nitrogen and phosphorus footprint by 16.7 and 6.1 tons annually respectively.
For those interested in learning more, a public forum will take place on February 5 at the Southeast Branch Library on US Highway 1 South in Saint Augustine, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm, St. Johns County announced. For more details on the road closure and project specifications, visit the county's official announcement at St. Johns County official website.
