CLAY COUNTY, Fla – Clay County Fair traffic is off to a smoother start this year after two new ramps opened at the First Coast Expressway and State Road 16 interchange, giving drivers another route in and out of the fairgrounds.
The Florida Department of Transportation opened the ramps less than a week ago at the interchange of State Road 23 (First Coast Expressway) and SR-16, a long-awaited change aimed at easing the backups that have plagued the fair for years.
On Easter Sunday, many fairgoers said the difference was noticeable.
“I came to Clay Fair, I want to say maybe in 2020. Traffic was a little crazy — today, actually wasn’t bad,” said Latoya Williams, who attended the fair Sunday.
For years, drivers often faced long waits because the main entrance relied heavily on a narrow stretch of SR-16, creating a bottleneck during peak hours. With the new ramps now open, drivers have additional options — including access to the First Coast Expressway — that can help spread out traffic.
Haley Heminger said the extra lanes and improved flow helped ease her concerns about crowds, especially with major events happening at the fair.
“We pulled right up,” Heminger said. “I was a little nervous with there being a concert, but we pulled right in.”
Not everyone found the new setup intuitive right away. Williams said the changes appear helpful but may take some getting used to for drivers arriving from different directions.
“I came actually through 17 straight the Westside of Jacksonville here,” she said. “It’s good, but it can be a little confusing.”
Law enforcement leaders said they are already seeing fewer backups than in past years. Sgt. Ray Kittles with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said traffic has been moving more efficiently, with improved signal timing helping keep cars flowing into the fairgrounds.
“We have not had as much backup,” Kittles said. “Right now, we’re crediting it to the light cycling properly … giving westbound traffic an opportunity to get in without a whole lot of assistance from us.”
The sheriff’s office said deputies are also monitoring traffic in real time using cameras and can adjust traffic light cycles if needed to keep vehicles moving.
Sergeant Kittles adds that congestion on SR-16 has been limited to just a few minor instances so far. While directing traffic, he asked drivers about their wait time and was told many were waiting less than 10 minutes to get in.
Officials say it’s still early, but the initial turnout suggests the new ramps are already helping reduce the usual fair traffic frustrations. The Clay County Fair runs through April 12.
The broader First Coast Expressway construction project, running from north of SR-16 to east of County Road 209, is estimated to be completed sometime this