Alachua County Public Works and the city of Newberry have completed construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of County Road 235 and Newberry Lane, reopening the roadway approximately two weeks ahead of schedule.
The intersection reopened to traffic on Wednesday, according to an Alachua County press release.
The $1.5 million project was jointly funded by Alachua County and the city of Newberry as part of the county’s 10-year Transportation Capital Improvement Program. The project was initiated to address safety concerns identified through a traffic study and recommendations from transportation consulting firm Kimley-Horn.
The roundabout was designed by Alachua County Public Works to accommodate current and projected traffic volumes, including large semitrucks. Construction was completed by the public works maintenance crews, the county’s survey department and Watson Construction.
“Roundabouts are often safer and more efficient than traditional intersections because they keep traffic moving while reducing the likelihood and severity of crashes,” Alachua County Engineer Stuart Cullen said in the press release. “We’re proud of the teamwork that allowed this project to be completed ahead of schedule and under budget.”
Newberry’s growth has led to multiple road projects in recent years.
County officials said the new traffic pattern is expected to improve safety and traffic flow while reducing delays at the intersection.
Motorists are encouraged to use caution and familiarize themselves with the new roundabout as traffic adjusts to the updated intersection design.
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The new roundabout at County Road 235 and Newberry Lane may make for a nice ribbon-cutting photo, but it doesn’t change what taxpayers see every day.
Alachua County collects an 11% local fuel tax, charges some of the highest property taxes in Florida, and still leaves county roads full of potholes, broken pavement, failing shoulders, and deferred maintenance. For all that money, much of the road system looks neglected.
Government shouldn’t expect applause for a $1.5 million project while basic maintenance falls behind. Taxpayers want safe, well-maintained roads, not political photo ops.
The county should put existing infrastructure first with a clear maintenance plan: dedicate a fixed share of fuel tax and transportation revenue to preventive work, publish a multi-year pavement schedule, and prioritize repairs by condition, traffic, and safety risk. It should also address shoulders, drainage, and resurfacing before they become costlier failures, set annual performance targets, and report progress publicly. New capital projects should wait until the county has funded a realistic plan to maintain the roads residents already use.
It’s funny I was just on the phone with them today discussing the pot holes on 53rd between NW 13th Street and NW 43rd. I was told the county is struggling for funds. Plans are made up to and including 2032 for paving, but NW 53rd is not planned. Navigating 53rd is like driving dui on a daily basis. Near Trinity Church on 53rd is an area that has so many patches, the patches have to be avoided so I don’t destroy my truck. How about the county start using the money allotted for roads from all the taxes we pay instead of buying land. Stop allowing UF to acquire property that would be taxed so you stop sticking it to the tax payers of Alachua County. Another golf course, just what we need. Alachua County tax payers are not getting the bang for our buck, and haven’t been for too many years. I been here 66 years and tax payer 46 of those years. These days I’m not sure it’s any different anywhere else. I know comments to them fall on deaf ears, unfortunately.
And from those “commies” at FDOT https://www.fdot.gov/agencyresources/roundabouts/benefits.shtm
Regardless of the expense which some locals continue to whine about, this roundabout WILL save lives. This was a dangerous intersection with numerous near fatalities. Stops signs and lights were useless!
Well you pay for this shit. We shouldn’t have to.
Oh, please. Roundabouts are what happen when morons behind a steering wheel, probably on their phone, because well…laws just don’t apply to THEM, cause a wreck.
ANY intersection becomes dangerous when self-absorbed drivers are paying more attention to TikTok than other cars or trucks. A roundabout is a waste of taxpayer money. Full stop.
Spare us the drama. Safe driving saves lives, not some pathetic symbol designed to make taxpayers think a politician is actually doing something positive when the opposite is true. I think that every time a roundabout is installed, the gas tax should be reduced by 2%.