St. Johns County has celebrated the opening of a new $41 million stretch of County Road 2209, now providing a direct link between Silverleaf Parkway and International Golf Parkway. The new segment, unveiled last Tuesday, aims to relieve congestion and bolster transportation throughout northern St. Johns County with its four-lane divided highway design. The St. Johns County website released a video covering the ribbon-cutting event.
Local officials, including District 1 Commissioner Christian Whitehurst, District 3 Commissioner Clay Murphy, and District 5 Commissioner Ann Taylor, joined District 2 Commissioner Sarah Arnold to mark the occasion. As this section of the road passes near several schools, drivers are urged to take care and be aware of the new traffic flow, especially during school pickup and drop-off times. “This project represents a major investment in public safety and connectivity for our community,” Commissioner Arnold told the St. Johns County.
Greg Caldwell, the Director of Public Works, highlighted the significance of the project. “This more than three-mile stretch connects Silverleaf Parkway to International Golf Parkway and will transform the transportation network for the northwest portion of the county,” Caldwell explained in a statement obtained by the St. Johns County. The development has been a collaborative effort, with the Florida Department of Transportation partnering up and contributing to the funding necessary for such improvements.
Accounting for the effects on local schools, Sheriff Robert A. Hardwick also chimed in on the anticipated impact. “How are we going to relieve one of the biggest high schools in St. Johns County—2,700 students and almost 300 staff?” Sheriff Hardwick posed the question to the St. Johns County. “You’re going to see that being tested this afternoon when the school empties. And this Friday night, when the Tocoi Creek Toros have a home game, you’ll see it tested again.” The new road segment is part of a broader County Road 2209 Central Project, which, upon completion in Summer 2026, will stretch 7.7 miles from County Road 210 to State Road 16. Initiated in the Spring of 2024, the project not only aims to lessen local reliance on Interstate 95 but also promises to enhance regional connectivity and mobility.
