St. Augustine city commissioners approved an agreement this week allowing the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to move forward with a new multi-use trail on Anastasia Island, a project aimed at improving safety and expanding walking and biking access along the busy A1A corridor.
The commission approved Resolution 2026-02, granting FDOT a temporary construction easement on city-owned property needed to build the shared-use path between Pope Road and Red Cox Drive.
The proposed trail will run approximately two miles along State Road A1A and is designed to provide a safer route for pedestrians, cyclists, runners, and people using mobility devices. Plans call for a 12-foot-wide paved path, replacing portions of the existing sidewalk to better accommodate both recreational and transportation use.
Assistant City Manager Ryan Franklin told commissioners the easement allows FDOT temporary access to city property during construction to complete grading and related work.
Once construction is completed, the easement will expire and control of the property will revert to the city.
The trail will run parallel to sections of A1A through the central portion of Anastasia Island, passing near residential neighborhoods and businesses along the beach corridor. The route will connect with the existing shared-use path near Pope Road and extend south toward Red Cox Drive.
Planned improvements also include upgraded crossings and safety features designed to help pedestrians and cyclists navigate the busy roadway. Among them is a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon planned at A1A Beach Boulevard, which will allow walkers and cyclists to activate a signal that temporarily stops traffic to allow safer crossings.
Transportation officials say the project is intended to improve mobility in one of the island’s most heavily traveled corridors while encouraging alternatives to vehicle travel.
The Anastasia Island segment is part of Florida’s SUN Trail (Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail) network, a statewide initiative to build connected trails for bicycling and walking.
Locally, the project also ties into the River-to-Sea Loop, a planned 260-mile regional trail system connecting St. Johns, Duval, Clay, Putnam, and Flagler counties. When completed, the network will also connect to the East Coast Greenway, a long-distance trail that runs along the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to Florida.
Officials say expanding trail connectivity can improve transportation options, increase recreational opportunities, and strengthen connections between neighborhoods, parks, and commercial areas.
According to FDOT project information, the trail is currently in the design phase, with final plans expected to be completed in spring 2026. Construction could begin as early as fall 2026, depending on funding approvals in the state transportation work program.
FDOT hosted a public open house at the Anastasia Island Branch Library to allow residents to review the project plans, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Transportation planners say community input will continue to be considered as the project moves forward.
