On-street parking along sections of Atlantic Avenue will disappear to make room for bike lanes and road shoulders. The changes are part of a $5 million Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project already awarded to a contractor.

Residents can see the plans and question the FDOT project team at a public open house Thursday, Sept. 24, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Atlantic Recreation Center Auditorium, 2500 Atlantic Ave. A virtual option will run during the same hours at nflroads.com/virtualmeetings.

The open house is not a public hearing. FDOT has already designed the work, solicited bids and awarded the contract. Thursday's meeting is the scheduled opportunity for residents to view project displays and ask questions before construction begins.

What the project includes

The contract calls for resurfacing 1.62 miles of Atlantic Avenue, also designated State Road A1A and Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway, from Centre Street to South Fletcher Avenue, according to the Fernandina Observer. Work also includes drainage rehabilitation, curb and gutter replacement, sidewalk work, sign replacement and curb-ramp improvements. FDOT says the roadway has reached the end of its service life.

New eastbound and westbound bike lanes will run along Atlantic Avenue from 15th Street to Jean Lafitte Boulevard. That stretch is shorter than the full 1.62-mile project corridor. FDOT says on-street parking will be removed along sections of the corridor to provide space for the bike lanes and road shoulders, but the agency has not specified how many spaces will be eliminated or identified all the locations affected.

Cost and timeline

FDOT's pre-bid estimate pegged the project at $7.66 million. The agency awarded the contract on April 28 to MAER Construction for $5 million. The contract allows 300 days for the work, with construction scheduled to begin in fall 2026 and wrap up in late 2027.

Construction will generally take place during daylight hours. Temporary traffic detours are expected at North 11th Street, North 13th Street, South 16th through South 20th streets, Citrona Drive and Wolff Street. Pedestrian detours are also expected at various locations along the corridor.

How to weigh in

Thursday's open house runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Atlantic Recreation Center Auditorium, 2500 Atlantic Ave. FDOT District 2, which oversees Nassau County projects, promoted the event in a Sept. 17 post on X. The Nassau County Chamber of Commerce also posted details. Virtual participants can register at nflroads.com/virtualmeetings.