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COUNTY GIVES NOTICE TO PROCEED ON FINAL SEGMENTS OF AMELIA ISLAND PARKWAY TRAIL – MARCH 31, 2025 The Friends of Amelia Island Trail attended two pre-construction meetings today for Segments 2, and 3 and 4 of the Amelia Island Parkway Trail. These meetings finalized the award of two trail building contracts to CGC, Inc. Segment 1 was completed last year also by CGC, Inc. The meetings were conducted by Senior Project Engineer Megan Rice of DRMP. Segment 2 covers Via del Rey to S, 14th St for the contract amount of $3,316,747.00 . This first meeting formalized the "Notice to Proceed" to CGC. Official contract time for "substantial completion" is 280 calendar days and the performance period is from 4/14/2025 to 1/18/2026. All construction will be on the west/northwest side of AI Parkway and the paved trail will be 10 feet wide. Segments 3 and 4 were combined for contracting purposes and cover the route from the round-about at S 14th St to Bailey Rd and from Bailey Rd to 8th St/A1A for the contract amount of $2,797,747.00 . This second meeting formalized the "Notice to Proceed" to CGC. Official contract time for "substantial completion " is for 350 calendar days and the performance period is from 4/14/2025 to 3/30/2026. All construction will be on the west/northwest side of AI Parkway, and the paved trail will be 10 feet wide. Total cost for these two projects will be $6,114,494.00. Grants via the NFTPO will cover most expense. The projects will involve numerous local and state agencies including: Nassau County, FDOT, FPU (gas and elec), AT&T, City of Fernandina Beach (water/sewer), Comcast, IQ Fiber, and others. There will be intermittent controlled traffic on AI Parkway for the construction period. No road closures will be permitted between 7am and 8:30am daily, or between 3pm and 7pm daily. At this time no construction is planned for weekends or holidays unless requested by the contractor. Electronic message boards will be used to inform local traffic. Friends of the Amelia Island Trail will likely be building a few rest stops along the route once trail construction is complete. Mike Pikula
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON FINAL SEGMENTS OF AMELIA ISLAND PARKWAY TRAIL – MARCH 25, 2025 From the Fernandina Beach Observer on March 25, 2025:Construction to Begin on Final Segments of Amelia Island Parkway Trail COUNTY APPROVES CONSTRUCTING REMAINING AMELIA ISLAN PARKWAY TRAIL SEGMENTS – MARCH 24, 2025
Start and completion dates for both contracts will be determined at a meeting to be held on March 31st. Friends of the Amelia Island Trail will publish those 2 official contract performance periods as soon as we receive them from the Contracting Office. For more information, see 3/24/25 County Insider article Bids Awarded for New Segments of Amelia Island Trail This trail will be a most welcome addition to the island’s off-road trail system and provide another safe walking, running and cycling venue for our residents and guests. When completed, it will be the culmination of a years-long coordinated effort by County Commission and Staff, the NFTPO, professional designers and builders, and involved residents! Thanks to all who have supported trails on Amelia Island. Mike Pikula
UPDATE ON MAJOR TRAIL PROJECTS IN NASSAU COUNTY - JANUARY 26, 2025 The following is a portion of an email exchange between Mike Pikula, President of Friends of the Amelia Island Trail Inc., and Mr. Robert Companion, Deputy County Manager and Engineer for Nassau County on January 15, 2025. 1. Q. Mr. Companion, can you please provide an update for us on segments 2, 3 and 4 of the Amelia Island Parkway Trail (from Highway A1A/S. Fletcher Av to its intersection with A1A near the Amelia River Bridge) including updated start and finish dates? A. The construction contracts go before the Board (of County Commissioners) for execution for phase 2, 3, & 4 in February (Commission Board meetings on Feb 10th and 24th) (segments 3 and 4 are in one contract, and segment 2 is a separate contract). Each has roughly a ten-month to one-year build duration. Start dates will fall in March 2025 and end dates will be in January to March of 2026. 2. Q. Can you provide an update on the planned roundabout at AI Parkway and Buccaneer Trail? A. The plans are complete. It (the project) will be advertised for construction as soon as the second phase of the Amelia Island Parkway Trail is complete. We will be forced to meet the Federal procurement requirements, wage rates, etc., on the roundabout project if we begin construction within the limits of the federally funded trail project. 3. Q. Can you provide an update on the planned roundabout or traffic light on S.14th St at Simmons Rd? A. At this time it is still a candidate project and remains unfunded. 4. Q. Can you provide an update on the construction plans for the new County roadway and parallel paved path between Minor Rd and US Hwy 17? (This project will serve the two schools in the area and will have a wide sidewalk) A. Construction began on the William Burgess Extension on January 13, 2025. 5. Q. Can you provide an update on the County plan on Amelia Island for a North-to-South, off-road paved path from Sadler Rd to Atlantic Av? A. The RFQ for design was advertised and we received proposals from over ten different firms. I believe we shortlisted 3 firms. The three firms will make presentations to the selection committee in the next week or so. After selecting a firm, negotiations for the design cost will commence. Once the negotiations are complete the contract will go to the Board for execution and the design will begin. I would estimate that the design will begin in April or May of this year. 6. Q. Can you provide an update on the County plan to add bike lanes on Amelia Island alongside SR200/A1A in both directions east of the intracoastal bridge and continuing to the AI Parkway intersection? A. This is still a Mobility project and a candidate project within our Capital Improvement Plan. It is currently not funded. 7. Q. Can you provide an update about when the resurfacing work on SR200/A1A from Old Nassauville Rd east to the intercoastal bridge will be complete; and will marked bike lanes be restored? A. I know the marked bike lanes will be restored. The last schedule I received was (for the) end of February (or) beginning of March. 8. Q. Has there been any further discussion about funding and building a trail alongside N.14th St from Atlantic Av to the North End Boat Ramp? A. We did a study three years ago to determine the feasibility, there are some hurdles to connecting this area environmentally and with(in the) right-of-way. It is not a funded project at this time, although I could see that changing after we complete the Simmons to Hickory trail along Will Hardee, Sadler and 14th. 9. Q. Has there been any specific planning for the new road and trail between Chester Rd and US 17? A. Wildlight is designing and constructing what they refer to as Riverbluff Parkway from Chester Road to US 17, the first phase of which is still under construction. 10. Q. Has there been any further discussion or planning between County and City about the proposed bike path from downtown Fernandina to the beach? A. We haven’t discussed this project specifically; we have mostly conversed about the Schools to Waterfront trail the City has plans for. 11. Q. Are you aware of any info on other new trails or bike paths to be built in Nassau County and/or in Fernandina Beach that you could share with us? A. The Westside Regional Park between Hilliard and Callahan will contain a network of trails through its footprint, but aside from that, I think you are aware of most of the County trail initiatives. For additional information, see future Wildlight developement for proposed parks and trails.
AMELIA ISLAND PARKWAY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION MAY 1, 2024 Segement 1 construction of the new AI Parkway trail is complete. Construction will begin soon for Segment 2, with Segments 3 and 4 construction following after.
AMELIA ISLAND PARKWAY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION FEBRUARY 7, 2024 Paving resumed yesterday along all of Segment 1 of the new AI Parkway Trail, with first and final layers of asphalt. Segment 1 (of 4 Segments) will run from the intersection of Amelia Island Parkway and S. Fletcher Av to the intersection with Via Del Rey. The county expects Segment 1 to be complete by the end of March or beginning of April, the same time that, work will start on Segment 2. Please remember that this new trail, once paved, will remain a construction zone with construction crew and trucks and grading equipment on the trail until the last details are done, including landscape grading, paint, signs, and the traffic signal at Fletcher Avenue and the AI Parkway.
TRAILS MEETING WITH NASSAU COUNTY JANUARY 29 2024 On January 29th, representatives from Friends of the Amelia Island Trail’s Board met with Nassau County’s Deputy County Manager to discuss numerous trail-related matters. See meeting notes with maps and diagrams. Here’s a summary of topics discussed: Amelia Island Parkway Trail progress (segment 1 estimated completion date in April; segment 2 out for bids; segments 3 & 4 in design), new trail signage and rules, rest stops to be built by FOAIT, ped and bike crossings at S 14th St roundabout, presentation of a special trail display to County Commission, discussion of various other trails in Nassau County, future roundabout and provision for cyclists and pedestrians at Amelia Island Parkway and Buccaneer Rd, repair of trail on Julia St, maintenance requests for the Amelia Island Trail, and the new “Nassau FL 2050 Vision Project”. Representatives also briefly discussed expanding our support for trails beyond Amelia Island and into the rest of Nassau County; this last topic will be further discussed at a FOAIT Board of Directors meeting. Mike Pikula
WILLIAM BURGESS BLVD EXTENSION AND TRAIL DECEMBER 1, 2023
A “Pre-bid” meeting will be held on Dec 11 at 2pm in the Nassau County Commission Chambers at 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee FL 32097. Bids from contractors will be due NLT Jan 17. Construction start and completion dates will be negotiated. Mike Pikula
AMELIA ISLAND PARKWAY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AUGUST 16, 2023 Wednesday August 16th 2023, is the official start of construction for Segment 1 of the new Amelia Island Parkway Trail, a paved, off-road path similar to the Amelia Island Trail and the Amelia River-to-Sea Trail. This new trail will be constructed in 4 segments and overall will be approximately 3.2 miles long. Segment 1 of 4 Segments will run from the intersection of Amelia Island Parkway and S. Fletcher Ave to the intersection with Via Del Rey. The entire trail will be built along the SW side of the Amelia Island Parkway. Segment 4 will end at the intersection of Amelia Island Parkway and A1A. See attached illustration. The design for Segment 2 has also been completed and a solicitation for construction bids will be issued by Nassau County in the near future. Segments 3 and 4 are in design now and solicitations for bids will be issued as the designs are completed.
This project is fully funded by grants awarded to Nassau County by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (NFTPO). Rest Stops along the Trail will be funded and constructed by Friends of the Amelia Island Trail. 
Our off-road trails on Amelia Island offer safe venues for recreational walkers, runners and cyclists. As this project begins, I'd like to thank our local cycling community for all their support for trail construction over the past years. Special thanks must also go to the Nassau County Staff especially Robert Companion and Taco Pope for their continuous support to design, fund and build these popular community amenities, and to the North Florida TPO for their overall leadership in transportation improvements in our North Florida communities. Mike Pikula
CITRONA DRIVE SIDEWALK PROJECT PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING JUNE 12, 2023
The Contract performance period will be 50 calendar days + 15 additional calendar days if required, and is expected to be completed on or before August 16th, 2023 (note: school starts on 10 August). The path will be concrete and vary in width from 6’ up to 10’. It will be constructed on the west side of Citrona Drive, and will be approximately 2746’ or .52 miles in length. This new sidewalk will replace the existing substandard one that passes by both the Fernandina Beach High School and the Fernandina Beach Middle School. Friends of the Amelia Island Trail would like to thank the Florida Department of Transportation, the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, Nassau County’s Board of Commissioners and our County staff for their full support of this project.
TIMUCUAN TRAIL ADDITION PROGRESS JUNE 1, 2023
AIT EXTENSION UPDATE MAY 27, 2023 At yesterday's (5/17/2023) Nassau County Commission meeting, the commission voted 5-0 to proceed with the award of contract No CM3373 with CGC, Inc., for construction of phase 1 of the Amelia Island Trail Extension alongside Amelia Island Parkway from S. Fletcher Av to Via Del Rey. The contract will be for $999,747. Start date for construction will be negotiated and is expected to begin in June, 2023. This is the first of four sections of a 3.5 mile trail that will run the length of Amelia Island Parkway to Eighth Street. Phase 2 design is complete, with solicitation to be issued later this year. Phases 3 and 4 are in design now. Over the next few years, as other sections are added, the Amelia Island Trial will connect with the ARTS trail. See BOCC 5/17/23 Agenda Item for the details regarding this section of trail and the timing to finally secure a winning bidder. This trail project is fully funded with federal grants distributed through the First Coast TPO.
TIMUCUAN TRAIL ADDITION PROGRESS AUGUST 9, 2022
AIT EXTENSION UPDATE JULY 22, 2022 The county has issued an invitation to bid for Segment 1 of the Amelia Island Trial extension. The bids are due by August 31. Once accepted, construction will start along the Amelia Island Parkway from South Fletcher to Jamestown Road. Here are the final drawings for Segment 1.
UPDATE ON LOCAL TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER TRAIL ACTIVITY JUNE 23, 2022 It’s been some time since we had significant news to report about trails on Amelia Island and in our local area. But that is rapidly changing!! Here’s an update on some trail projects in Nassau County and the Talbot Islands in Duval County. Amelia Island Trail Extension Update. Our next new trail will be a 3 ¾ mile-long extension of the Amelia Island Trail to be built entirely on the Southwest side of Amelia Island Parkway between South Fletcher Avenue and 8th Street (A1A). With great support from the First Coast Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) https://northfloridatpo.com/, Nassau County will soon be soliciting bids for construction of the first two of four fully funded trail segments for the northwestward continuation of the Amelia Island Trail. The first of those two segments will connect with the existing AIT at the intersection of S. Fletcher AV/A1A with Amelia Island Parkway (near the Ritz Carlton) and will end near Via Del Rey. Segment 2 will continue onward to the roundabout at S. 14th Street. Segments 3 and 4 are in the design stage at this time and when completed will take the Trail further along Parkway to connect with A1A/S. Eighth St. The funding is federally sourced and flows through the FDOT to Nassau County.
The total length of the new trail extension will be 3.24 miles. All segments will be constructed along the South and Western sides of A.I. Parkway; the new Trail will cross the existing Amelia River-to-Sea Trail near the roundabout at Bailey Road. No estimated completion dates are yet available. Friends of the Amelia Island Trail will be installing up to 4 rest areas alongside the new trail segments. This $3.24 million trail project is fully funded with federal grants distributed through the First Coast TPO. New Trail Funding Approved By State of Florida. Nassau County is the recipient of a $5.1 million State of Florida grant to fund construction of a wonderful new trail on Amelia Island! See June 15, 2022 press release. The route of this new trail as announced by Nassau County is:
Our county expects State funding to be available in FY2023. At that time trail design will begin and a construction contract will follow. Nassau County is certified to do its own designs, solicitations, and contract awards for local construction so this entire process will likely be “in house”. Additional planning and funding will be needed to continue the planned Schools to Downtown trail construction from Hickory St. to the City’s waterfront (see our 2/19/2021 news). This grant also included funding for some safety improvements on S. 14th Street with new turn lanes, medians, and landscaping. We offer sincere thanks to Nassau County’s Taco Pope and Robert Companion, and City of Fernandina Beach’s Dale Martin and Kelly Gibson for their coordinated efforts and sustained support for creation of a safe multi-use trail system for Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach!
E-Bikes and Speed Limit Rules on Trails. The Nassau County Commission approved rules in 2021, allowing E-bikes on our trails. The rules now allow all classes of E-bikes on Nassau County trails and set a speed limit of ten miles per hour for all trail users.
Timucuan Trail Update.
An automated traffic control device is in place on Heckscher Dr. at the construction site which detects cyclists and adjusts traffic signal intervals accordingly. FDOT estimates this $10.97 million bridges and trail project (see $ breakout below) will be completed by approximately March 31, 2023 (weather permitting).
There is also an unfunded project on Ft George Island called the “Trailhead” that will offer vehicle parking and a “shortcut” from the Timucuan Trail alongside Heckscher Dr to Ft. George Road which leads to the Ft George Island Cultural State Park and Kingsley Plantation. The St Johns River Ferry transports motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians across the St. Johns River. This crossing is also part of the East Coast Greenway. Planning for multi-use trail construction from this crossing at Mayport to Hanna Beach Park and through the Jacksonville Beaches continues. The Timucuan Trail and the Amelia Island Trail together form one of the most scenic segments of the national East Coast Greenway which will eventually connect Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. Nassau County Trails West of Amelia Island. Nassau County will build a new road this year connecting Miner Rd with US17 and William Burgess Blvd. The construction will help traffic flow around the elementary and high schools on Miner Rd. It will include a separate paved bicycle/pedestrian trail on one side of the road. The Nassau County Engineering Services Department hosted a community meeting on 3/31/22 to share details about the William Burgess Extension Project. This project will extend the existing William Burgess Blvd. across U.S. 17 to Theresa Road and will include a signalized intersection, a 1.7 miles long multi-purpose path with enhanced landscaping and benches, a sidewalk, and improvements designed to reduce congestion on Miner Road at Yulee High and Yulee Middle School. This new trail will be available for your use when the extension is completed. Link to Engineering’s presentation: www.thecountyinsider.com/uploads/2/4/7/0/24700962/wbb_presentation_3-30-22.pdf Ride Safely and enjoy YOUR trails! Mike Pikula
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For earlier news (2013 through 2021), see News Archive |
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In a memo dated June 14, 2021, the Friends of the Amelia Island Trail’s Board of Directors requested that the County place new pavement markings and signage on County trails to include 10 MPH speed limit signs, one-way direction arrows on pavement, center-line striping in certain trail sections, and signs which prohibit golf carts and ATVs, among other recommendations, on both County trails. In July, 2022, the County installed new 10 MPH speed limit signs along both the Amelia Island Trail and the Amelia River-to-Sea Trail.
