7/29/26 @ 9:00 a.m.
On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) celebrated the completion of Hornets Drive (formerly the William Burgess Boulevard Extension) with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by County Commissioners, County staff, project partners, elected officials, and members of the community.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Board Chair Alyson McCullough, followed by District 3 Commissioner Jeff Gray, who recognized the project as a significant investment in Nassau County's future.
"Today marks an exciting milestone for Nassau County and, more specifically, for the Yulee community," said Commissioner Gray. "This project represents years of planning, coordination, and investment in our transportation network to better serve our residents today and prepare for the growth we know is coming tomorrow."
Nassau County School Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns also spoke, reflecting on the many years the school district and community envisioned this connection and the positive impact it will have on traffic circulation and access for Yulee Middle School and Yulee High School.
Hornets Drive creates a new connection between U.S. 17 and Miner Road, providing an additional east-west corridor that improves connectivity throughout the Yulee area. By offering motorists an alternative route south of State Road 200, the roadway will help distribute traffic across the transportation network, improve mobility, and alleviate congestion near local schools during peak arrival and dismissal times.
The project also features a 10-foot shared-use path, expanding opportunities for residents, students, and visitors to safely walk or bike through the area while supporting Nassau County's commitment to multimodal transportation.
"Hornets Drive is more than a roadway," Commissioner Gray said. "It is an investment in safety, connectivity, and the future of Nassau County."
The Board of County Commissioners extends its sincere appreciation to the Capital Projects Management Department, the project engineers, inspectors, utility partners, Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, subcontractors, and the Florida Department of Transportation for the collaboration required to bring this project to completion, including the installation of the new traffic signal at U.S. 17.
The contractor will spend the next week completing a concrete separator before the roadway opens to the public. Hornets Drive is scheduled to open in time for the first day of school on Monday, August 10. Upon opening, both the roadway and the 10-foot shared-use path will be accessible from U.S. 17 and Miner Road, providing an important new transportation connection for the community. The sidewalk on the south side of the roadway will remain temporarily closed while final construction activities are completed.
The Board of County Commissioners thanks residents for their patience throughout construction and looks forward to the many benefits Hornets Drive will provide for years to come.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
On Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) celebrated the completion of Hornets Drive (formerly the William Burgess Boulevard Extension) with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by County Commissioners, County staff, project partners, elected officials, and members of the community.
The ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Board Chair Alyson McCullough, followed by District 3 Commissioner Jeff Gray, who recognized the project as a significant investment in Nassau County's future.
"Today marks an exciting milestone for Nassau County and, more specifically, for the Yulee community," said Commissioner Gray. "This project represents years of planning, coordination, and investment in our transportation network to better serve our residents today and prepare for the growth we know is coming tomorrow."
Nassau County School Superintendent Dr. Kathy Burns also spoke, reflecting on the many years the school district and community envisioned this connection and the positive impact it will have on traffic circulation and access for Yulee Middle School and Yulee High School.
Hornets Drive creates a new connection between U.S. 17 and Miner Road, providing an additional east-west corridor that improves connectivity throughout the Yulee area. By offering motorists an alternative route south of State Road 200, the roadway will help distribute traffic across the transportation network, improve mobility, and alleviate congestion near local schools during peak arrival and dismissal times.
The project also features a 10-foot shared-use path, expanding opportunities for residents, students, and visitors to safely walk or bike through the area while supporting Nassau County's commitment to multimodal transportation.
"Hornets Drive is more than a roadway," Commissioner Gray said. "It is an investment in safety, connectivity, and the future of Nassau County."
The Board of County Commissioners extends its sincere appreciation to the Capital Projects Management Department, the project engineers, inspectors, utility partners, Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, subcontractors, and the Florida Department of Transportation for the collaboration required to bring this project to completion, including the installation of the new traffic signal at U.S. 17.
The contractor will spend the next week completing a concrete separator before the roadway opens to the public. Hornets Drive is scheduled to open in time for the first day of school on Monday, August 10. Upon opening, both the roadway and the 10-foot shared-use path will be accessible from U.S. 17 and Miner Road, providing an important new transportation connection for the community. The sidewalk on the south side of the roadway will remain temporarily closed while final construction activities are completed.
The Board of County Commissioners thanks residents for their patience throughout construction and looks forward to the many benefits Hornets Drive will provide for years to come.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
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