Starke Bypass, US 301 (SR 200) to North of SR 100

The existing US 301 (SR 200) corridor through Starke, Florida, was frequently congested and did not function efficiently as a regional transportation link. To improve the level of service along the corridor, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) commissioned a project development and environmental (PD&E) study to investigate alternatives. Subsequently, an alternative to construct a bypass on new alignment around the city was selected. FDOT divided the bypass design into three segments. Lochner was selected to develop final roadway, drainage, and structural design as well as construction plans for Segment 1, the largest bypass section spanning three miles between US 301 and SR 100.

Lochner’s design included three miles of limited‐access roadway, a mainline bridge over Alligator Creek, a mainline grade‐separation bridge at the railroad and CR 100A, and an interchange with SR 100. The existing project area included several features that constrained the roadway alignment during design: a historic cemetery; a railroad crossing; a spray field, which is part of the city’s wastewater treatment system; and several local roads. Lochner’s design avoided impacts to the historic cemetery and the railroad crossing, and the design team coordinated extensively with the city to minimize impacts to the spray field’s operations and the traveling public. Wetland mitigation was also a significant part of the design process.