First Coast Expressway

[The Ghostbuster]

Google Maps only shows construction to a route parallel to CR 16A: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.0078198,-81.5855466,3294m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D. The rest will likely have to wait for another update.

[ElishaGOtis]

So, supposedly the segment between US-17 & the Shands Bridge has opened quietly in the past week or so.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/changeset/180606501

I can't seem to find any articles about this opening anywhere, but Google also now allows you to route over the segment.

On a side note, the final two ramps @ Exit 20 (FL-16) opened yesterday (April 1st).
https://www.news4jax.com/video/news/2026/04/01/2-ramps-at-first-coast-expressway-sr-16-interchange-officially-open-ahead-of-clay-county-fair/

It didn't, can confirm today. The new ramps opened, but the extension did not. There apparently was a either last-minute delay or a miscommunication...

[edwaleni]

Google Maps only shows construction to a route parallel to CR 16A: https://www.google.com/maps/@30.0078198,-81.5855466,3294m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D. The rest will likely have to wait for another update.

In light of Google Earth's delays, here is the entire CR16A work zone as of yesterday.

[rickmastfan67]

So, supposedly the segment between US-17 & the Shands Bridge has opened quietly in the past week or so.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/changeset/180606501

I can't seem to find any articles about this opening anywhere, but Google also now allows you to route over the segment.

On a side note, the final two ramps @ Exit 20 (FL-16) opened yesterday (April 1st).
https://www.news4jax.com/video/news/2026/04/01/2-ramps-at-first-coast-expressway-sr-16-interchange-officially-open-ahead-of-clay-county-fair/

It didn't, can confirm today. The new ramps opened, but the extension did not. There apparently was a either last-minute delay or a miscommunication...

Alright.  Glad I didn't jump the gun then on TM adding that segment.  If you hear anything about when it will indeed open, LMK.

[Great Lakes Roads]

From FDOT NE's Facebook post:

The First Coast Expressway (State Road 23) from U.S. 17 to Leonard C. Taylor Parkway is expected to open to traffic Monday, June 29, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. New signals on Leonard C. Taylor Parkway will also be activated Monday in conjunction with the opening of the new segment of roadway.

[The Ghostbuster]

Here is a view from the soon-to-be-opened segment of FL 23 at FL 16 from Google Maps Street View: https://www.google.com/maps/@29.9781218,-81.643878,3a,75y,295.59h,68.4t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ssqk59gnKnE2c0USkxmYJcA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D21.601517625978573%26panoid%3Dsqk59gnKnE2c0USkxmYJcA%26yaw%3D295.5949249017458!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDYyMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D.

[ElishaGOtis]

From FDOT NE's Facebook post:

The First Coast Expressway (State Road 23) from U.S. 17 to Leonard C. Taylor Parkway is expected to open to traffic Monday, June 29, weather and unforeseen circumstances permitting. New signals on Leonard C. Taylor Parkway will also be activated Monday in conjunction with the opening of the new segment of roadway.

FINALLY

[ElishaGOtis]

Next section NOW OPEN! It's a super two for parts, but in general it's very nice.

Also, not to brag buuuuut...

[Beltway]

I have been to the project website.

Why the FCE left hand exit and entrance on NB I-95?

[Strider]

I have been to the project website.

Why the FCE left hand exit and entrance on NB I-95?

I saw the project website after you mentioned that, and I am very curious about it since there are no development around the proposed interchange area except for the neighborhoods along the future ramp from I-95 South to FL-23 West (North?).

[ElishaGOtis]

I have been to the project website.

Why the FCE left hand exit and entrance on NB I-95?

I saw the project website after you mentioned that, and I am very curious about it since there are no development around the proposed interchange area except for the neighborhoods along the future ramp from I-95 South to FL-23 West (North?).

Those plans I believe have changed. They will all be right-hand entrances and exits at I-95. To the east of there is a conservation area I think.

Emphasis on "I believe" and "I think".

[edwaleni]

I have been to the project website.

Why the FCE left hand exit and entrance on NB I-95?

I saw the project website after you mentioned that, and I am very curious about it since there are no development around the proposed interchange area except for the neighborhoods along the future ramp from I-95 South to FL-23 West (North?).

Those plans I believe have changed. They will all be right-hand entrances and exits at I-95. To the east of there is a conservation area I think.

Emphasis on "I believe" and "I think".

As of January 2025 they still have left hand exit to the FCE on the plan.  I am going to think that it is to accommodate the large number of trucks they expect to use this outer beltway.

The NB 95 to WB FL-23 exit is ground level all the way and SB 95 will be raised over it.

Clay County just announced that a large logistics firm is going to build a complex along the new road in the next 12-18 months.

[Beltway]

I have been to the project website.  Why the FCE left hand exit and entrance on NB I-95?

I saw the project website after you mentioned that, and I am very curious about it since there are no development around the proposed interchange area except for the neighborhoods along the future ramp from I-95 South to FL-23 West (North?).

Those plans I believe have changed. They will all be right-hand entrances and exits at I-95. To the east of there is a conservation area I think. Emphasis on "I believe" and "I think".

As of January 2025 they still have left hand exit to the FCE on the plan.  I am going to think that it is to accommodate the large number of trucks they expect to use this outer beltway. The NB 95 to WB FL-23 exit is ground level all the way and SB 95 will be raised over it. Clay County just announced that a large logistics firm is going to build a complex along the new road in the next 12-18 months.

From the looks of it, there may be some serious wetlands impacts on the east side of I-95 there,  if they were to build high speed ramps there.

Maybe on the west side as well, but at least avoiding it on one side may be the plan.

[edwaleni]

I have been to the project website.  Why the FCE left hand exit and entrance on NB I-95?

I saw the project website after you mentioned that, and I am very curious about it since there are no development around the proposed interchange area except for the neighborhoods along the future ramp from I-95 South to FL-23 West (North?).

Those plans I believe have changed. They will all be right-hand entrances and exits at I-95. To the east of there is a conservation area I think. Emphasis on "I believe" and "I think".

As of January 2025 they still have left hand exit to the FCE on the plan.  I am going to think that it is to accommodate the large number of trucks they expect to use this outer beltway. The NB 95 to WB FL-23 exit is ground level all the way and SB 95 will be raised over it. Clay County just announced that a large logistics firm is going to build a complex along the new road in the next 12-18 months.

From the looks of it, there may be some serious wetlands impacts on the east side of I-95 there,  if they were to build high speed ramps there.

Maybe on the west side as well, but at least avoiding it on one side may be the plan.

As you can see they are avoiding the wetlands by pushing the SB I-95 lanes to the west. Also a large amount of water storage will be in place under the ramps.