Mayport Road (Florida A1A) Road Diet Project

Mayport Road (State Road A1A) Road Diet Project

The Mayport Road (State Road A1A) road diet project in Atlantic Beach is a significant undertaking aimed at creating a safer and more accessible corridor for everyone in Atlantic Beach. The project is being administered by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Project Overview:

  • Location: The project focuses on Mayport Road (State Road A1A) from Atlantic Boulevard (State Road 10) to Dutton Island Road West.
  • Goal: To increase safety for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, and other vulnerable users.
  • Timeline:
    1. An engineer has been selected, and the project is currently in the design phase.
    2. Bidding is anticipated to begin in December 2025.
    3. Construction is expected to start in early 2026 and conclude in late 2028.
  • Value: The project is valued at $11.6 million.

Proposed Improvements (Road Diet Elements):

  • Milling and Resurfacing: The existing road surface will be milled and resurfaced along the entire project stretch.
  • Upgraded Signalized Intersections: Improvements will be made to traffic signals at intersections.
  • Lane Repurposing: This is the core of the "road diet." The project will likely reduce the number of traffic lanes (e.g., from three lanes in each direction down to two) to reallocate space for other uses.
  • Addition of a Southbound Bike Lane: A dedicated bike lane will be added on the southbound side of Mayport Road.
  • Sidewalk Widening Northbound: Sidewalks on the northbound side will be widened to improve pedestrian accessibility.
  • Shared-Use Path: There is a vision to add a 12-foot shared-use path with a buffer on one side of the road.

What is a Road Diet and its Benefits?

A road diet is a traffic calming technique that typically involves converting a four-lane undivided roadway into a three-lane road (one lane in each direction with a center two-way left-turn lane). The reallocated space can then be used for features like:

  • Bike lanes
  • Wider sidewalks
  • Pedestrian refuge islands
  • On-street parking
  • Transit stops
  • Green infrastructure

The benefits of implementing a road diet are numerous and well-documented:

  • Increased Safety:
    1. Reduces overall crashes by 19% to 47% by minimizing conflict points (e.g., fewer lanes to cross, dedicated left-turn lanes).
    2. Reduces rear-end, left-turn, and right-angle crashes.
    3. Lowers vehicle speeds, which directly reduces the severity of crashes when they do occur.
  1. Makes it safer for pedestrians and cyclists by providing dedicated space and fewer lanes to cross.
  • Improved Mobility and Traffic Flow:
    1. Dedicated turn lanes can reduce delays caused by vehicles waiting to turn left.
  1. Can improve traffic flow on roads with up to 20,000 vehicles per day without causing congestion.
  • Enhanced Livability:
    1. Promotes walking and biking, encouraging healthier lifestyles and alternative transportation options.
    2. Can make a corridor more attractive and community-focused.
    3. May boost economic activity by making businesses more visible and accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Cost-Effective: Often, road diets can be implemented at a relatively low cost, especially when combined with routine street resurfacing, as they primarily involve restriping and minor adjustments to existing infrastructure.