Standing on the newly completed Stockton Street bridge over McCoys Creek on March 26, Jacksonville City Council member Tyrona Clark-Murray recalled flooding that plagued residents and motorists in the area for decades due to debris jamming up beneath the old, lower bridge.
“This is not just an ornamental accomplishment,” she said during a ribbon-cutting for the bridge. “This is about life.”
To address the problem, the city built a new bridge higher and wider, making it less susceptible to the clogging that choked off the creek’s flow and caused water to spill into streets and properties along the banks. In addition, the city is restoring creekside wetlands to absorb and slow inflow of water to the creek.
Attendees at the March 26 ceremonial opening of the Stockton Street bridge over McCoys Creek included, from left, Jacksonville City Council members Jimmy Peluso, Ron Salem and Tyrona Clark-Murray, Mayor Donna Deegan and Council Vice President Nick Howland. Others on hand included Council members Rahman Johnson and Chris Miller…