Nassau County working on design plan for corridor of A1A and state road 200

NASSAU COUNTY, Fla. — Nassau County is now exploring a major design plan for a crucial 13-mile corridor.

County commissioners have teamed up with GAI Consultants to create what they’re now calling the Timber to Tides Trail along A1A and 200.

The county’s population has increased from 57,663 people in the year 2000 to 80,456 in 2017.

The majority of the population and housing growth has happened within the boundaries of the county’s Corridor Study.

#NassauCounty is now exploring a major design plan for a crucial 13-mile corridor on A1A/SR200. They’re calling it the Timber to Tides Trail. I found out what cities around the world the consultants are looking to for design ideas. Watch at 5 on CBS47 @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/XIvk0nGB7k
— Jenna Bourne (@jennabourneWTSP) March 7, 2019

“The growth has been so intense,” said Joy Bruno, who moved to Nassau County a year ago.

The county’s goal is to transform the 13-mile corridor into a place that can support its rapid growth.

Right now, the majority of the corridor is not bicycle- or pedestrian-friendly, although current construction to widen the roadway should help with that eventually.

Cyclist Shaina Rentz said bike lanes would make bicyclists and drivers safer.

“It’s very difficult. It’s confusing,” said Rentz.

The goal of the corridor design plan is to encourage the presence of bicyclists and pedestrians, add streetscape enhancements, promote mixed-use development and improve flood plain management.

GAI Consultants are looking to the design of State Road 434 in Winter Springs, since it likes the trees in the medians, as well as front porches and businesses framing the edges of the street.

The consultants also like the multimodal roads in Herlev, Denmark, which have bike lanes, sidewalks and bus stops.

The goal is to have a plan by the end of the year, after gathering input from the public.