Local

St. Augustine drivers worried how proposed changes to U.S. 1 could impact Nights of Lights

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Cameras posted on Rick’s Mufflers and Auto Repair shop on U.S. 1 in St. Augustine catch plenty of crashes on the highway.

Owner Richard Molner told Action News Jax, it’s no secret – the stretch of road is dangerous.

“U.S. 1 gets treacherous in some places," Molner said.

Safety is one of the reasons the Florida Department of Transportation has proposed changes on US-1 from State Road 207 to the City Gates of St. Augustine.

TRENDING STORIES:

13-year-old girl shot, killed by 16-year-old boyfriend, police say 

Four dead, including St. Marys parents, 4-year-old son in head-on crash 

If approved, the $14 million plan would close the median at Rhode and Grove Avenues, and Everett and Daniels streets.

“If we can get an actual direction of traffic flow to keep people from cutting across U.S.1 at certain places, it’ll definitely reduce the number of accidents that we see,” Molner explained.

He agreed the median changes were a good idea, but said he’s not on board with trading street parking for a buffered bike lane.

Molner described, “Being a business owner on U.S.1, we actually have quite a few people that park in our parking lot during closed hours so they can walk downtown.”

He said it’s going to be an especially big problem during Nights of Lights construction is slated to start in December 2020.

A spokesperson sent Action News Jax the following statement about construction plans during the popular event:

Plans are not 100% complete, however, FDOT is aware of the Night of Lights and will make every effort to minimize the impact to traffic during this timeframe. The Department will make adjustments if necessary to ensure the work is completed safely and efficiently as possible.

Molner said he’s unsure if the proposed changes will improve problems on U.S. 1.

The business owner suggested, “I think they would do better at actually revisiting the entire infrastructure on how U.S. 1 is and maybe offering another thoroughfare somewhere else in the county.”

Monday, F-DOT held an open house on the project at 4 p.m. the St. Johns Health Building located at 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.

Public comment on the project started at 6 p.m.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Download WJAX Apps