Jacksonville neighbors, leaders consider safety measures on College Street after repeated crashes

Neighbors along College Street in Jacksonville met with City Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray and traffic engineers Thursday night to discuss ways to slow traffic.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Neighbors along College Street in Jacksonville are asking city leaders for help slowing traffic after years of crashes and property damage.

At a community meeting Thursday night, residents told District 9 City Council member Tyrona Clark-Murray and city traffic engineers they have seen speeding vehicles hit mailboxes, trees and other property along College Street, Lenox and Ramona Boulevard.

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Angela Worthy, who has lived along College Street with her husband, Jerry, for more than 30 years, said she has witnessed countless crashes.

“I cannot count how many accidents I’ve seen in 31 years. A lot of accidents,” Worthy said.

She said speeding vehicles have also damaged the couple’s property.

“Couldn’t even pull into my driveway,” Worthy said.

City staff presented options for slowing traffic, including installing two speed humps and lowering the posted speed limit to 25 mph.

The estimated cost for two speed humps is about $4,124. One of the proposed speed humps is wider than the city’s standard design, adding about $390 to the cost.

The city estimates two new 25 mph speed-limit signs would cost about $280.

Under the city’s traffic-calming process, 75% of affected property owners must approve the project. Property owners have 60 days to respond, and nonresponses are considered approvals.

The city would then invoice the applicant for the project costs. Installation typically takes four to six months after approval and payment.

Residents questioned why they would have to help pay for part of a project intended to address a traffic-safety concern.

Clark-Murray told residents she plans to use available discretionary funds to cover the cost of the speed humps if the project receives the required approval.

“This has been a long time coming and I thank God tonight that we’re here and this is finally coming to fruition,” Jerry Worthy said. He said Clark-Murray’s commitment to help pay for the project made him happy.

“We have increased traffic on College Street, so we want to make sure those who live there are still able to get in their driveway safely, walk along their neighborhood safely,” she said. “My job is to serve my district, and this part of serving them is listening to their concerns and acting on them.”

Residents also discussed the possibility of adding a roundabout in the area. No funding has been allocated for a roundabout and no project has been finalized.

Clark-Murray is scheduled to hold another town hall on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at Hyde Park Elementary School. The meeting will focus on Amendment 3 and the referendum concerning teacher pay. She also discussed the proposed measure with constituents during Thursday’s meeting.