Long public debate over Sun Trail’s Beach Boulevard segment exposes split between connectivity advocates and business/resident concerns

St. Johns County staff briefed the commission on the Sun Trail design for the A1A/Beach Boulevard segment on May 20, then opened the issue to a lengthy public record that highlighted a deep split in local views.

Public works and parks staff described a 10‑foot shared‑use path planned to fit inside the current east‑side sidewalk footprint, a modest 2‑foot buffer, curb separation and signal modifications at key crossings. FDOT has funded design at about $730,000 and listed approximately $5.5 million for construction in its work program under current projections; staff said final design completion is expected by June 30, 2026 with construction potentially beginning in 2027 if funding proceeds.

Greg Caldwell, county public works director, said the design narrows travel lanes slightly, keeps the new path within the existing sidewalk area and will not expand the roadway footprint eastward. “We are not putting any new ponds or redistributing stormwater,” Caldwell said, adding the project includes milling/resurfacing and new signage.

Supporters said a continuous Beach Boulevard alignment best serves regional connectivity and local businesses by bringing more visitors safely to beach access points and restaurants. State Representative Cindy Stevenson, who helped advance the regional trail concept years ago, urged commissioners to seize the funding and noted the trail’s potential to boost nearby economies and create safer, low‑stress routes for families and visitors. “It’s a $5.5 million opportunity with no local match,” she said.

But many business owners and residents urged the board to reconsider routing the Sun Trail on the east side of A1A through the most active commercial and tourist stretch, citing a high number of driveway intersections (more than 50 in the corridor), frequent delivery and emergency vehicle activity, narrow existing shoulders, and disruption to businesses during construction. Gloria Worley, who owns a longstanding restaurant at the A Street intersection, said she and other proprietors were not notified earlier and warned of negative impacts during the tourist season.

Residents proposed alternatives — notably routing the trail along Mickler/Michler Boulevard and Pope Road or using the west side of A1A — arguing those paths would reduce pedestrian crossings, keep through‑riders out of the densest commercial corridor and avoid two‑way shared paths through crowded sidewalks. Local cycling advocates and some planners countered that alternatives would bypass the beach and commercial destinations the trail is intended to serve and could decrease usage; they emphasized the importance of designing to accommodate mixed users and adding education and enforcement measures.

Board members asked for more study and emphasized safety, but no formal change to the approved alignment was made at the meeting. Commissioners and staff agreed to continue community outreach and consider site‑specific safety measures (additional signal warrants, potential intersection changes), and staff said final design refinements and public coordination will continue as FDOT funds progress toward construction.

The item remains in design with public input recorded; construction timing and the final alignment remain subject to FDOT funding allocation and any further board direction.