Oakland approves roundabout on Oakland Avenue

Crashes and near misses are commonplace at one busy intersection in Oakland, and now town officials have a plan that should eliminate much of the chaos.

“Within a very small radius of that intersection, State Road 50, Old State Road 50, Oakland Avenue, J.W. Jones Road, the West Orange Trail and the driveways to two very busy commercial properties all become entwined,” said Oakland Public Works Director Mike Parker. “Phenomenal and continuing growth in the region has fueled the need for immediate improvements.”

Town commissioners gave authorization to Town Manager Dennis Foltz to enter a contract with consultant firm CPH for design work.

Parker said he anticipates the design to be completed and the project ready to be sent out for construction bids in about eight months. The design cost is about $240,000. Depending on the bid submissions, the construction cost could be close to $1 million.

“The cost of materials and labor has really skyrocketed in the last year with the economy,” Parker said.

Three entities — the town of Oakland, Oakland Trails Development and Orange County — are working together to create the design for the project, which will realign roadways and the West Orange Trail and construct the roundabout near the intersection of Oakland Avenue, J.W. Jones and Old S.R. 50.

Meritage Homes, the developer of the recently approved Oakland Trails subdivision, has given a substantial piece of property for the roadway improvement. Funding is being provided, as well.

The town held multiple meetings regarding traffic impact, Parker said. Residents in the area were given an opportunity to voice their opinion on the need for improvements.

Up to three public hearings will be held at future town commission meetings, when the elected officials will be updated on the progress.

IN OTHER NEWS

• The town has hired Phil Martinez as an assistant to Town Planner Jay Marder. Martinez recently graduated with a master’s degree in regional and community planning and has won a number of awards and scholarships and traveled to multiple countries. He will be administering the permitting process; setting up the town’s geographic information system, the digital maps; and drafting reports and writing grants.

• The construction plans have been approved and site work has started in the new Oakland Trails subdivision.

• Oakland staff is reviewing the proposed Minneola interchange on Florida’s Turnpike, which is now in the planning, design and evaluation phase. Town officials are concerned about how the lane expansions could impact the Oakland Trails neighborhood and the land owned by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and want to know if sound and safety walls will need to be installed.

Contact Amy Quesinberry Rhode at [email protected].