Construction is set to begin on the Fort Matanzas Beach Ramp starting November 17, 2025, according to St. Johns County officials. In collaboration with the National Park Service (NPS), the county will temporarily close the facility to allow for comprehensive improvements aimed to not only repair existing damage but to also enhance overall accessibility. Located off State Road A1A, the closure, which extends to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists alike, is anticipated to last until May 2026.
During the ramp’s closure, beachgoers will have to find alternate routes for access. The county has set up a turnaround at the Spyglass Beach Access Point, directing traffic to the Crescent Beach vehicular access ramp, which will function as both an entrance and exit during daytime hours. As per county guidelines, and to protect the remaining sea turtle nests, this area will still undergo an evening closure at 5:30 p.m. every day "until the final sea turtle nest hatches," the St. Johns County states.
The scope of the renovation includes the removal and replacement of the current masonry wall surrounding the parking area for the construction of a sheet pile wall with a reinforced concrete cap, along with new asphalt paving. The project also features a significant addition—an ADA-compliant timber boardwalk complete with staircases, aimed squarely at improving pedestrian access to the beach. St. Johns County and the NPS aim to provide a permanent solution to the erosion issues compounded by hurricanes in the past years.
"We are proud to facilitate the design and construction of this project and have worked closely with our partners at the National Park Service to ensure the ramp and parking lot improvements provide a long-term resiliency solution," Corryn George, Project Manager for St. Johns County Public Works, stated. "We are also excited to construct a new ADA-compliant boardwalk and provide staircases that access the beach directly," as mentioned on the St. Johns County website. This is part of an effort to not just improve the facility but to also safely separate pedestrian from vehicular traffic.
The timing of the construction has been planned to avoid the sea turtle nesting season, ensuring that the local wildlife remains undisturbed. This project is a function of a Cooperative Management Agreement between St. Johns County and the NPS. For more information on county capital improvement projects, including detailed project statuses and timelines, members of the public can visit the St. Johns County Featured Projects web page.
