Get a look at the new First Coast Expressway bridge that will go over the St. Johns River

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The community will have a chance on Tuesday to get a look at the new four-lane State Road 16 bridge that will go over the St. Johns River and connect St. Johns and Clay counties.

The Florida Department of Transportation will be holding an open house from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to preview the upcoming construction of the project.

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Participants can attend the open house in person at the Clay County Supervisor of Elections Office, 500 N. Orange Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.

Virtual participation is available by registering at nflroads.com/virtualmeetings or by phone at (415) 655-0060, access code 677-379-051.

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The bridge will be part of the third and final segment of the First Coast Expressway, a multi-lane, limited-access toll road that, once completed, will cross parts of Duval, Clay and St. Johns counties.

The new bridge will be just south of where the Shands Bridge currently stands. Once the new bridge is complete, Clay County said, “the old Shands Bridge will be turned into a 672-foot fishing pier and recreation area for Clay County residents to enjoy.”

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The design-build team of WGI, Inc., Johnson Bros. Corporation and American Bridge was selected to complete the project at a cost of approximately $595 million, FDOT said.

The vertical clearance height of the new bridge will be 65 feet from the water line, compared to the existing 45 feet of clearance. FDOT said the additional 20 feet will match the Buckman Bridge’s clearance.

The project is expected to be complete in 2030.

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