ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County is advancing key improvements at the intersection of County Road 16A and Timberwolf Trail near Trout Creek Academy, the school at the center of significant traffic congestion—a $1.8 million investment.
Dick D’Souza, assistant director of growth management, outlined two projects underway. The county’s Capital Improvement Project will add eastbound and westbound turn lanes on CR-16A and a right turn lane on Timberwolf Trail. Design and permitting should wrap up by year-end, with bidding early next year and construction to follow.
“These turn lanes will get turning cars out of the three lanes of traffic,” D’Souza said.
It aims to improve flow and provide vehicle storage for school traffic. Pedestrian upgrades include crosswalks and sidewalks throughout the park area.
Flashing beacons are already installed to warn drivers, while no traffic signal is planned. The goal is better circulation from both north and south access points to the school, allowing drivers to split traffic routes and reduce backups.
Further east, a development-driven project is creating a new entrance to Shearwater from CR-16A, required by the community’s development plan. Despite delays caused by relocating large transmission poles and coordinating with the nearby First Coast Expressway (SR 23), the project is on track for completion by year-end.
Currently, all Shearwater traffic uses Timberwolf Trail, causing congestion. The new entrance will offer an alternative route, easing traffic flow.
The county is also exploring new ideas to enhance safety for students walking and biking to school, particularly at a nearby roundabout where parents and residents have reported incidents of students being struck. Noticeable changes already include cleared vegetation at Kingbird and Timberwolf Trail to improve sight lines.
“We’re trying to work with the developer to create a back pedestrian route into the school that would separate walkers and cyclists from vehicles and golf carts,” D’Souza said.