ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County officials announced the completion of intersection improvements at Preservation Trail, Colonnade Boulevard, and Palm Valley Road in Nocatee.
The project added a fully operational traffic signal along with dedicated crossings for pedestrians and golf carts to improve traffic operations and local connectivity.
Colonnade Drive and Preservation Trail function as primary neighborhood connectors in the Nocatee area. Both roads handle steady daily residential traffic, with vehicle volumes increasing significantly during school and peak commuter hours.
Construction at the intersection began in February 2026 and was completed in August 2026. Before proceeding with the project, St. Johns County conducted a traffic signal warrant analysis under federal guidelines established in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The intersection met the required signal warrants based on traffic volumes.
Michael Likley, project manager for the St. Johns County Public Works Traffic and Transportation Department, explained the purpose of the new signalization. “This project is really about making the intersection easier and more predictable for everyone who uses it,” Likley said.
“Whether you’re driving, walking or using a golf cart, the signalization provides clearly defined movements that make it easier for everyone to navigate the intersection.”
The project includes a protected crossing phase specifically designed to accommodate golf cart traffic and pedestrians within Nocatee. The crossing connects surrounding neighborhoods and provides residents with direct access to nearby parks, recreational facilities, shopping centers, and restaurants.
Likely noted that the signal phases have already influenced daily travel through the corridor. “You can see a big improvement in the way traffic moves through the intersection,” Likley said. “The signal provides each movement with its own designated phase, which keeps traffic moving and gives motorists a clear understanding of when it’s their turn to proceed.”
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