Levy County is beginning an experimental project that will help convert two of its existing dirt roads to be more cement-like so they can be more stable and manageable.
Dirt roads are commonly used in the county, but they can be costly and negatively impact vehicles. However, creating traditional roads on these dirt paths would require the roads to be transformed to meet the guidelines that can impact surrounding environmental land and private property.
Levy County's district five commissioner, Matt Brooks, proposed this project and says it is a beneficial alternative.
"So this solution was a win-win from the standpoint of we're accomplishing lower cost maintenance, better traveling surface and we're also able to not harm the environment and keep beautiful live oaks in our county on these roads," Brooks said.
The two roads for the project are North-East 180th Ave and North-East 55th Street. If the project is successful, Brooks says it likely will be implemented on other dirt roads.
"If it's successful, we'll bring this to our full board of county commissioners. I'm sure we will discuss it and make considerations on trying to identify other roads of need that would benefit the county greatly to have this application as well."
Levy County is the only area pursuing this type of project in the state. Brooks hopes that this alternative could bring benefits to other communities in the state and country.
"Not only will it help with Levy County, but it can also help other fiscally constrained and other 38 rural counties in the state of Florida, if not nationwide," Brooks said. "I take a lot of pride in bringing this to the table and it could be a solution for us as well as other counties and it could save local funding, state and federal funding on infrastructure projects."
The project is expected to be completed this Summer.