ORANGE PARK — Plans for the new Johnson Slough project saw opposition from concerned residents at Tuesday’s town council meeting. The $16.9 million project aims to make roadway and bridge …
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ORANGE PARK — Plans for the new Johnson Slough project saw opposition from concerned residents at Tuesday’s town council meeting.
The $16.9 million project aims to make roadway and bridge improvements at Plainfield Avenue, Nelson Drive, Nelson Drive South and Carnes Street.
The upgrades will address stormwater flood protection and provide navigable crossings for residents.
Nelson Drive will see a raised road by approximately 3.25 feet, while Plainfield Avenue will see an approximate 7-foot rise, Nelson Drive South an approx. 6.25-foot rise and Carnes Street an approx. 6-foot rise.
Roadwork will take place in residential neighborhoods, but impact to environmentally sensitive areas will be reduced and public access will still be available.
The project was first proposed back in 2017. The town has begun the design contract with Superior Construction; the initiative is currently at the 60% design phase.
Following the presentation by the team, some residents expressed concerns about the project’s high cost.
“How many dollars will the county give us when 97% of the people [who] use those roads do not live in Orange Park?” one resident questioned. “But yet, you folks are going to tax each one of us, including yourselves.”
Another said the project was ambitious but needed a more modest approach.
“We can put a bridge up 8 feet, that’s huge … that’s an ambitious project. And all that does is pick the cars up off the flood plain. But the water’s still there because the lake’s moved in. It’s just lowlands.”
The resident suggested putting in box culverts instead.
Mayor Randy Anderson acknowledged the pushback but said that even during normal rainstorms, the roads face major flooding issues.
He said the project was necessary for resident safety.
“This whole project is about safety for our residents. And I know some people like it; some people don’t. But when it comes down to it, if it saves one life, you pay for it,” said Mayor Randy Anderson.
The project team has plans to meet with the council and discuss ways to reduce costs, which could include reducing structure height and limiting aesthetics.
