JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After years of planning, the city of Jacksonville broke ground Thursday on the Old Middleburg Road widening project.
The first phase of the project will expand the road from two to four lanes, from 103rd Street to Parman Road.
The second phase of the widening project will include all the way down to Argyle Forest Boulevard.
District 14 City Councilman Rahman Johnson said it’s been 25 years in the making.
“It’ll be a four-lane road with pedestrian walkways, nature trails, people, a bike path, it’s just going to be really, really nice. And there’s other infrastructure stuff curbs that will be redone, there’ll be closed drainage, so drainage should be so much better in the area,” Johnson said.
News4JAX spoke with neighbors who said the biggest problem in this area is traffic.
“There’s always like little accidents, because it’s like just northbound and southbound. So expansion would be great because it’s a lot of traffic on the road,” Finney Pouncey said.
Pouncey said he frequently travels down OId Middleburg Road and gets caught in traffic a lot. He hopes the three-year project goes by quickly.
“I mean, you know, three years is a way down the road... but it’s good to know that there’s hope for it. And as the population around here grows, the roadway is growing a little better. So that’ll kind of help us out,” Pouncey said.
Johnson said this project is just the beginning of positive change on the Westside.
“There are other projects that we’re looking at a few parks that few tricks up my sleeve, but some options and opportunities available, looking forward to do things that are going to just help not only beautify the community but add some environmental impact easement for just things in the area,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the project will cost around $36 million. Those funds will come from the Better Jacksonville Plan.