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.
“I can?t understand how anyone who has driven in that area can possibly conclude there is no impact on safety,” Harris said. “It?s a two-lane winding country and people drive quickly over those curves. If this takes legislation to stop, we?ll do it.”
Del. Wade Kach, R-District 5B, said he met last week with two representatives of County Executive Jim Smith and asked them to pursue another location. He said he had not yet received a response.
But county officials insist they will meet with community members before the proposal becomes a done deal. The county-owned depot would serve four schools and includes a lot where public works employees train on heavy equipment, officials said.
According to the study, 23 cars would turn into the site between 6 and 7 a.m. and 40 vehicles would exit; 40 cars would enter between 4 and 5 p.m. and 34 vehicles would exit.
“The county executive knows the community has been through a lot,” Mohler said. “He?s well aware of the environmental concerns, the traffic concerns. All options are still on the table.”
The topic could become political: Smith and Republican nominee Clarence Bell will field questions at a candidate?s forum at 7 this evening at Loch Raven High School.
