First phase of Oakland/Forrester Parkway Extension approved

LEESBURG — Work on the first phase of the Oakland/Forrester Parkway extension is expected to begin in a few months after Lee County commissioners approved a $815,558 contract with Oxford Construction Co. Tuesday evening.

By a 4-1 vote with Commission Vice Chairman Dennis Roland dissenting, commissioners authorized work to begin on the first of five phases of construction that eventually will lead to a major east-west connector linking two of the county’s most populous areas.

“I believe this is the most important economic development project this county could do,” Commission Chairman Rick Muggridge said. “On the drawing board is a significant investment in our county waiting for this road to be paved. It will not come unless this road is paved. I want to see all five phases done.”

In addition to the economic benefits and the convenience for Lee County residents, Muggridge said the new roadway will “enhance public safety and allow them to move across our county in a way we cannot do today.”

Currently, routes connecting those sections of the county are limited to Ledo Road at the southern border of the county and Highway 32 out of Leesburg.

Oxford’s bid covers the base work and paving of just over a 12th of a mile and the installation of a 12-inch water main and fire hydrants.

The bid was $657,623 to handle the road work and $157,935 for the water main and hydrant installation. The total contract bid was $815,558.

Roland voted against the contract, saying he did not see the necessity of the Oakland/Forrester Parkway extension.

“We’re going to spend about $8 million over the next six years tying up all this money in one road … and neglect everything else,” he said.

County Manager Ron Rabun said he will now get with Oxford Construction officials to determine a start time, estimating it will be about 90 days. The work should be done “in a matter of months,” Rabun said.

County Planning Manager Matthew Inman said the latest projection to complete all five phases of the work is $7.7 million. Inman said it should be easy to project costs for four of the five phases. The unknown factor is the portion of the work which crosses the Kinchafoonee Creek, he said.

“The environmental expense can vary a lot,” Inman said. “You don’t know how much dirt you’ll have to bring in and there are other unknowns.”