Republican lawmakers and Jacksonville residents are organizing vocal opposition to a proposed bus depot in the heart of the community, a move county officials called premature.

Most recently, Republican State Sen. Andy Harris, District 7, wrote a letter to state transportation officials, asking them to re-evaluate a county study that concluded the proposal ? which includes space for 40 school buses and two above-ground fuel tanks ? will not affect traffic. Harris and community members still reeling from a 25,000 gallon gasoline leak at a nearby gas station earlier this year said they worry the depot will complicate the area?s environmental clean-up and exacerbate a dangerous Paper Mill Road.