Local Business Owners Raise Concerns Over Wells Road Intersection Redesign in Orange Park

Business Owners Rally Against Controversial Intersection Redesign in Orange Park

ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Tensions are rising among business owners on Wells Road as they voice their concerns over the ongoing remodel of the intersection at Wells Road and Blanding Boulevard. The redesign, which aims to improve traffic flow, has sparked fears of increased danger for pedestrians and potential financial fallout for local businesses.

Christopher Jackson, owner of The Carpet Man, has become a vocal critic of the project. “I don’t think they know how dangerous this intersection is,” he stated, highlighting his worries about a planned crosswalk that he believes offers insufficient protection for pedestrians. “I’m not gonna put my kids and grandkids out in the middle of that intersection now, let alone with a crosswalk with a three-inch curb and some yellow paint on it.”

Local lawmakers have joined the fray, with State Senator Jennifer Bradley and Representatives Sam Garrison and Judson Sapp sending a letter to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared Purdue in August. They called for further traffic studies and consideration of alternative proposals, emphasizing that the redesign could severely impact businesses on the west end of Wells Road.

The lawmakers warned that the changes would restrict access to local businesses, particularly those reliant on large commercial vehicles. “This seems inherently problematic and dangerous,” they wrote, expressing concern that customers would be forced to make U-turns on busy Blanding Boulevard or navigate through residential streets to reach their destinations.

Under the new design, vehicles traveling west on Wells Road will no longer be able to cross directly onto Blanding Boulevard. Instead, they will be required to turn north and make a U-turn, a change that Jackson fears could deter customers. “What are my customers gonna do? ABC Supply is ten times as big as I am. It’s not gonna happen,” he lamented.

In response to the backlash, FDOT defended the redesign, claiming it would cut travel times at the intersection by 50 percent. “The savings of 5,100 hours per day reduces the annual delay cost by $33,150,000/year,” wrote FDOT District 2 Government Liaison Ed Seifert, emphasizing the long-term financial benefits of the project.

FDOT also pointed to an open house held in July, where community input was gathered. However, Jackson feels that his concerns have been largely ignored. “I pay millions and millions of tax dollars. And this is what it gets?” he questioned, urging the community to stay cautious. “Hey, look. Don’t go in the middle of that intersection.”

As the debate continues, the intersection redesign is slated for completion in late 2026, leaving local business owners anxious about their future and the safety of their customers. The community remains divided, weighing the potential benefits of improved traffic flow against the risks posed to pedestrians and local commerce.