The contentious Penman Road Project was once again at the forefront of civic dialogue during a recent Neptune Beach City Council meeting, as residents voiced their concerns about the proposed safety enhancements. The gathering, which included an open house event with the development team, allowed individuals to express their doubts directly to city leaders. According to News4JAX, the issue drawing the most skepticism from locals is the introduction of roundabouts at five key intersections along Penman Road.
Although roundabouts are hailed by some as a means to improve traffic flow, like Neptune Beach resident Valentin Romero who, having lived in Europe, has experienced their effectiveness firsthand and told News4JAX, "Roundabouts definitely help." Other community members remain unconvinced that pedestrians will benefit from the changes. One resident emphasized the need to "stop the cars so people can go across safely," indicating skepticism around the roundabouts' ability to ensure pedestrian safety in such a busy corridor.
The three Duval County cities involved in the project, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and the City of Jacksonville, are seeking community feedback as they continue to refine the plan. In line with the Florida Department of Transportation’s “Complete Streets” movement, the project proposes a series of improvements including additional turn lanes, pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, and the controversial roundabouts. A staggering 307 crashes reported on Penman Road between 2016 and 2021 underscore the urgent need for road safety enhancements, as Action News Jax highlighted the concerns raised by residents about the area's traffic issues.
Tuesday night's Neptune Beach meeting sought to give residents like Pat Hazouri, who've watched over pedestrians in the area since 1991, a chance to offer input on possible improvements. Hazouri shared with First Coast News, "I just really want it to be safe." The discussion revolved around various features, including a pedestrian bridge and raised medians, aimed at making the road safer for both drivers and pedestrians. Despite the concerns, some residents recognized the efforts of the development team, with one member of the community acknowledging, "you’ve done a tremendous job. you’ve taken down the medians and i appreciate y’all listening," as reported by First Coast News.
If the plan receives approval, the construction phase could kick off by January 2027, with completion projected for December 2028.
