By Tamas Mondovics
County officials are now starting on road facelift and construction projects, some lasting for months while others for the next few years.
At a total cost of nearly $6 million, roadways including, the 4.6-mile stretch of Bloomingdale Ave, from Providence Road to Lithia Pinecrest Road, as well as Bryan Road from SR 60 to Bloomingdale Ave., are both scheduled to be repaved, with construction to last until mid to late-September.
County officials said lane closures should be during the evening (9PM to 6AM).
“While this is exciting news for many people, it will mean more congestion and delays during the project,” said County Commissioner Stacy White.”
At the cost of almost $2 million, the resurfacing 2.5 miles of Providence Rd, which began in February is expected to reach its completion this month.
Further south, resurfacing Boyette Road and Balm Boyette Road between Rhodine Rd and Lithia Pinecrest Rd. is also on the list, but County officials said that projects is not scheduled until Summer of 2018 with a nearly four-month timeframe.
The project is estimated to cost the County another $2.6 million.
It is also noteworthy that the Florida Department of Transportation has begun a traffic signal installation at Balm Road and US 301, in Riverview.
With the poles up since the last week in April, FDOT anticipates the signal to be active in the first week of June.
Concerned about the possible impact for residents, White emphasized two additional transportation projects, planned in the near future.
“I wanted to make sure that we mention PD&E Study for the widening of 19th Avenue in Sun City Center, as well asBell Shoals Rd., widening from Knowles Rd., to Boyette Rd.” White said.
White added that while the PD&E will study the widening of 19th Avenue, it does not guarantee that the road will be widened.
“Rest assured, the Board will carefully consider this project due to the possible impacts for residents,” he said.
White emphasized that it is a developer-funded 3.1-mile, $65 million project and the County is currently in “My office has made it clear to County staff that we need to know ASAP when dirt will begin to move,” he said adding that his office will make sure the news will get out to residents once it becomes known.
Visit www.HCFLGOV.net.
