JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Time is ticking when it comes to what to do with Duval County's trash. The Trail Ridge Landfill is expected to reach its capacity by 2018. City leaders say they have to act now to expand the landfill.
The city's public works director tells Action News the project would take about 2 1/2 years to complete. Meanwhile the trash just keeps on coming – 3,000 tons of waste per day.
Spend just a little time at the Trail Ridge Landfill and you can see why an expansion is needed. Dozens and dozens of trucks dumping trash from all over the county.
The steps need to add capacity are lengthy.
Public Works Director Jim Robinson tells Action News the city better start soon if it wants to finish the project before the landfill is full. The mayor proposes the city borrow $43 million over the next three years to finish the project - the largest single expense in his capital improvement plan.
“There are alternatives but they are also higher in costs and they also reduce revenue that we currently produce through our current landfill,” Robinson says.
Robinson also says a major tropical storm or hurricane would produce so much waste it would reduce the capacity by 12 months.
“Since we have no control, obviously over if they occur or when, we have to assume that we might get one over the next couple of years save enough capacity for that kind of event,” Robinson says.
If the plan is approved, construction would begin early next year and wrap up by 2017.
The City Council will consider the proposal as it finalizes the budget.