TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Status Update for the Price Boulevard Widening Project between Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard
Recommended Action
No action required.
Background Information
The following provides a status update for the Price Boulevard Widening Project between Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard:
1. March 21, 2019: A public informational meeting was held subsequent to the completion of the 60% plans for the Price Boulevard Widening Project between Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard by American Consulting Engineers, Engineer of Record. The meeting was live-streamed and videoed and written comments were collected.
2. March 22, 2019: American Consulting Engineers, proceeded to develop the 90% plans. The following comments were included with the submission of the 90% plans to staff recently for further review and comment:
1) Stormwater Treatment System: The Operations and Maintenance Division staff of the Department of Public Works has experienced significant maintenance necessary for the underdrain systems in existing dry ponds on Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard. The Engineer of Record has indicated that due to the estimated seasonal high- water table and existence of clay in the soil, the proposed dry ponds for this Project will need underdrains to properly function. Staff and the Engineer of Record are evaluating the change in the Project’s stormwater treatment ponds from dry to wet.
2) Existing Raised Center Medians at the Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard Ends of the Project: The existing raised center medians were not landscaped, when they were constructed with the Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard Widening Projects. Although landscaping along Price Boulevard within the limits of this Project is not feasible, due to the approved roadway cross-section and restricted right of way, landscaping of the existing raised center medians at each end provides an opportunity to do this, along with adding trees around the perimeter of the stormwater treatment ponds. The existing raised center medians at the Toledo Blade Boulevard end of the project will be extended west to the Creighton Waterway, increasing the opportunity for landscaping. At the Sumter Boulevard end of the Project, extending the existing raised center median eastward to change the Convergence Way connection to a “right-in/right-out” configuration will improve safety and accommodate a proposed mid-block crossing at this location.
3) Proposed Center Turn Lane Islands: Staff and the Engineer of Record have evaluated opportunities to include center turn lane islands into the Project. No locations were observed that would not negatively impact the ability for left turn movements into single family lots. Staff and the Engineer of Record believe the center turn lane islands would create a safety issue as well. Therefore, center turn lane islands have not been incorporated into the Project. Another option is to use stamped concrete for the center dual left turn lane, such as the left turn lanes on Sumter Boulevard, Toledo Blade Boulevard and Price Boulevard (at the Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard intersections). This would result in a visual distinction (aesthetics) and rideability (safety) regarding the roughness of the pavement surface. The stamped concrete creates noise when driven upon, of which residents along Price Boulevard voiced an opposition to during the public meetings conducted on the project earlier in the design phase.
4) Engineer of Record Contract Amendment: An amendment to American Consulting Inc.’s Contract is planned to be presented to the City Commission during the Governing Body of the Road and Drainage District Meeting on June 25, 2019. The amendment will account for a possible change in the stormwater treatment system mentioned above, landscaping changes from the original scope and deletion of expedited design for right turn lanes on Price Boulevard included in Amendment Number Two, that were determined to not be necessary.
3. April 23, 2019: During their Regular Meeting, the City Commission approved Resolution No. 2018-R-29, authorizing and directing the acquisition by any legal means of certain parcels that are required for stormwater retention ponds as part of the Price Boulevard Widening Project from Sumter Boulevard to Toledo Blade Boulevard to include the revision to the first Whereas Clause as follows:
“The City of North Port has retained consultant services to design the widening of Price Boulevard from an existing two-lane undivided arterial road to a five-lane undivided arterial road from Sumter Boulevard to Toledo Blade Boulevard (the “Project) with final design plans expected to be completed in 2019; and”
Strategic Plan
Infrastructure
Financial Impact
Not Applicable
Procurement
Not Applicable
Prepared by: Benjamin Newman, P.E., Projects Engineer
Department Director: Juliana B. Bellia