A new road meant to ease traffic on the city’s busiest routes opened in southwest Gainesville Tuesday morning.
The road, which had its ribbon cutting ceremony, links Southwest 47th Avenue and merges into Southwest 40th Boulevard as it curves north to Archer Road. This is the first phase completed of the city commission's larger goal to eventually connect Williston Road to Newberry Road.
Betsy Waite, the Wild Spaces and Public Places director, said the project will give drivers a more direct route through the city as well as relieve traffic on Archer Road, 34th Street and I-75.
The project costs $3.4 million and was funded by the City of Gainesville and the Florida Department of Transportation. Wild Spaces and Public Places contributed about $630,000 for construction, Waite said.
A pedestrian and bicycle trail was also built along the side of the road, Waite said. The Wild Spaces and Public Places and Gainesville Public Works Department worked together to complete construction.
Gainesville City Commissioner David Arreola, who cut the ribbon, said the project is a necessity because the interstate is one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the area. Arreola said he was proud of the city’s work.
“It’s always really encouraging to come out and see this in person,” Arreola said. “You see [the plans] on spreadsheets and presentations, but seeing it in real life restores hope.”
