Matanzas Woods Parkway was extended over I-95 in 2006.
The work was done about three years ahead of schedule, but connections to the interstate were not included.
That's about to change after the Flagler County Commission awarded a nearly $9 million contract to open the road to I-95.
“This is a project that's almost 20 years in the making," said Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey. "It started from our '98 wildfires when we had to evacuate the entire county. It's a safety issue. It's a commercial issue. It's a quality of life issue for us.”
Part-time Palm Coast resident Chavannes Bonifasse wasn't aware of the plans. Once told, he was excited about having better access to the interstate.
“Actually, that should be done a long time ago," Bonifasse said. "You don't have to start working and then come back a few years later to get it done.”
But with the Florida Department of Transportation footing the bill, the county could only get the work done when the state would free up the funds.
Yet not everyone is excited about neighborhoods near the interchange being opened up to the interstate.
Ed Schoenleber has lived in Palm Coast for about a decade. He worries about what he saw in neighborhoods near I-95 his home state of New Jersey.
“Too much openings for burglaries and stuff like that,” Schoenleber said.
His brother Bill, who moved down to Palm Coast more than three yars ago, agrees.
“People who aren't from this area can interpret it as 'I can get in there and I can get out and they won't even see me,'” Bill said.
While the county is spearheading the interchange project, the city of Palm Coast is busy trying to expand two roads in the area.
Their goal is to try to lessen the impact of increased traffic in front of Matanzas High School. And they're now on the clock.
Groundbreaking on the interchange is expected to happen within the next month.
It's anticipated to take 18 months to compete.