Overland Bridge work kicking into gear
The state Department of Transportation held its second major public hearing meeting late last month about the upcoming Overland Bridge project — one of the largest state roadway renovations to affect the San Marco area in recent history.
The project, which has a contract amount of $157.8 million, begins 2,300 feet south of San Diego Road and ends at the St. Johns River. FDOT Spokesman Michael Goldman said work will begin in January on the 1,255-day project. The timeline is based on projected contract days that include added time for weather, holidays and unforeseen field circumstances. He estimates the work will conclude during the summer of 2016, a date subject to change.
FDOT officials hosted the community at a Oct. 30 gathering at its training facility on Edison Avenue. Notices for the meeting went out to property owners within 300 feet of either side of the proposed alignment, according to the flyer.
The scope of work includes: the replacement of the Interstate 95 Overland bridge; reconstruction of I-95; reconfiguration of the interchange at Atlantic Boulevard and Philips Highway; construction of a new parallel service road for northbound traffic; reconstruction of a new parallel service road for southbound traffic; a widening of the Fuller Warren bridge at the southbound portion adjacent to the Southbank (not over the river); and the widening of San Diego Road bridges.
The FDOT still needs to acquire 30 parcels to complete the property assemblage needed for the project. FODT officials said that means 20 percent of the necessary property transactions, mandated under eminent domain laws, still are outstanding.
Residents who did not attend the late October meeting still have ample time to review finer points of the FDOT’s plans. Materials are available for review at the San Marco Library at 1513 LaSalle Street and at the FDOT Urban Office at 2198 Edison Avenue. Written statements may be mailed to the following address no later than Nov. 9: Craig Teal, FDOT, 1109 S. Marion Ave., MS 2002, Lake City, FL 32025, or via email to [email protected].
By Susanna P. Barton
Resident Community News
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