District issues permit for second phase of First Coast Expressway

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 27, 2018 — The St. Johns River Water Management District has issued an environmental resource permit related to construction of the new First Coast Expressway. The permit authorizes a stormwater management system for a 31-mile segment of the highway from Blanding Boulevard in Clay County to I-95 in St. Johns County, the second phase of the project.

“This project is important to improve northeast Florida’s transportation system,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “The district’s role is to ensure that the project’s design and construction complies with rules to protect water bodies and wetlands. This is a huge project that will create jobs, benefit the local economy, particularly in Clay County, and will ease the commute for thousands of Floridians, while protecting the environment.”

The First Coast Expressway, often called the Outer Beltway, is a new multi-lane limited access toll facility that will eventually connect Interstate 10 in western Duval County with Interstate 95 in northern St. Johns County. The first segment, approximately 14 miles from I-10 in Duval County to Blanding Blvd in Clay County, is currently under construction.

The project includes a major bridge across the St. Johns River and 75 stormwater ponds. The applicant has purchased mitigation credits to offset 504 acres of wetland impacts related to dredge and fill activities for construction of the road and associated stormwater management systems.

The permit was issued on March 8, 2018. Visit the district’s e-permitting webpage for more information.