ORANGE PARK – Since the number of pedestrians and bicyclists have increased following improvements of River Road, residents now are calling for a 5 mph speed limit reduction.

Orange Park’s Public Safety/Public Works Committee met Monday to discuss infrastructure issues pressing the town.

The River Road project timeline said the project was supposed to be completed in early September. The road is closed from Kingsley Avenue to Stiles Avenue. Multiple residents called for the speed limit to be reduced from 25 mph to 20 mph.

Resident Jill Weigand said the town needed to be proactive rather than reactive. She cited Orange Park Police Department figures that prior to paving, 80% of traffic speeds on River Road were above 20 mph, and 35% of drivers drove over 25 mph.

“Now that the road is paved, drivers are sure to go faster,” Weigand said. “If we make every effort to increase safety now, like reducing the speed limit and implementing other traffic calming measures we will surely keep the town safer and decrease the town’s liability in any legal matter that might arise due to accident or injury.”

Mike Choate, a River Road resident, said cars would go 35 mph with impunity. He said when pedestrians and bicyclists factor into the equation, the comfort of the driver isn’t a big concern.

Angela Wester said cars may subvert U.S. Highway 17 via River Road. Resident Hank Racer said the road was an attractive nuisance.

“A 20-mph limit would at least bring down the possibility of a fatality,” Racer said. “It would help to some degree.”

The committee, chaired by Town Council Member Ron Raymond, recommended the change to the council.

“From where I sit, the residents of River Road have given us a pretty good incentive to Kingsley East because we’ve made it attractive. We’ve provided lots of places to park,” Raymond said. “It’s by default become a linear park.”

Committee member R.B. Juneau said the recommendation should follow state statutes, and possibly have a feasibility study.

In other business, committee members discussed the possible privatization of the Jacksonville Electric Authority. JEA has a 30-year contract with the town and owns infrastructure. The committee recommended Town Attorney Sam Garrison review the contract.