FLEMING ISLAND — Residents heard more about some big updates to Radar Road at a public meeting on Monday. 

Construction will soon begin on an approximately $7 million project connecting U.S. 17 to Town Center Boulevard, adding a new two-lane roadway extension at the current traffic circle. The new roadway will also include bike lanes, drainage features, curbs and gutters.

The highly anticipated project, noted as former District 1 Commissioner Mike Cella’s “baby,” has been in the works for about 30 years and is projected to break ground as early as July 1. Construction will take around 15 months. 

During the meeting at the Fleming Island Library, current District 1 Commissioner John Sgromolo, other county officials and staff were present to answer questions. Engineering consultant company England-Thims & Miller, Inc. was also in attendance. 

England-Thims & Miller Project Manager Brian Landeweer said the road work will be done in two phases, each taking around seven-and-a-half months. 

During phase 1, the existing access from U.S. 17 will remain as it is today, completely accessible. Thunderbolt Park will still be open, albeit with angled parking spaces added to it. So, public parking will be in the Fleming Island Library lot for the time being. 

During phase 2 of the project, Landeweer said residents will begin to have access to adjacent locations from the roundabout.

The news was appealing to some residents, who said it has been long overdue. However, others weren’t necessarily concerned about the road construction itself, but rather the safety concerns that come with it.

One resident was particularly concerned about the pedestrians and children that frequent the area. Although the road will be posted at a 25-mph zone and contain speed tables to slow traffic, the resident said she still thought it wasn't enough. She said it didn’t matter, and that most cars drive faster than the speed limit anyway.

“I don’t think there [are] enough safety measures according to what I see here that are going to make it safe,” she said. “I’ve used this park for many years and the library. And my kids and other children dart back and forth in between the library."

Another resident echoed her sentiment, saying she even fears for the additional speeding traffic that will now be within the roundabout.

Landeweer assured that the road is not being designed as a high-speed cut through.

Additionally, the county said they will be adding rapid, rectangular flashing beacons for pedestrian crossings and lighting throughout the roadways.

Slight detours will take place, specifically for those coming from Radar Road and Pine Forest Drive.

For drivers attempting to turn left from Radar Road onto County Road 220 or left from Pine Forest Drive to Green Cove Springs, they will have to turn right at the intersection and make a U-turn at a later intersection.

One resident noted that, for drivers exiting Pine Forest Drive, the intersection at East West Parkway doesn’t allow for U-turns. Smith said that will be put in place.

Currently, Clay County Engineering Director Richard Smith said the county foresees the project getting procurement and going out for bid within the next 45 to 60 days. 

“This is [your] money,” Smith told attendees. “This isn’t DOT, this isn’t federal. So, we don’t have to wait on any other outside agencies. That process will go a lot faster.”