Orange Park staff recommend bridge design for Johnson Slooh project; residents press cost and traffic alternatives

Town of Orange Park officials on March 10 urged the town to move toward a bridge-based design for the Johnson Slooh Culvert and Roadway Improvement Project, while several residents and some council members pressed for lower-cost alternatives and clearer financing choices.

Public Works Director Kyle Crochi, who led the presentation, said engineers modeled 100-year and 500-year storm events and factored tidal influence from Dudley Branch when choosing bridge elevations and widths. "The purpose of the design was really straightforward: improve roadway access during storms, protect critical infrastructure and provide a structure for a 50- to 100-year lifespan," Crochi said.

Staff described a multi-element plan covering Nelson Drive, Nelson Drive South and Planefield Avenue. The project team told the workshop the current 90% design package carries an estimated construction cost in the mid-$14 million range (presented as roughly $14.7 million in the materials), and the town has pursued state Resilient Florida funding to offset costs. Crochi and the…