Pasco County has approved a local funding agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding the construction of an intersection improvement at State Road 52 and Sunlake Boulevard/Rhombus Court.
The Pasco County Commission approved the agreement, as part of the consent agenda, during the board’s Sept. 15. When an item is on the consent agenda that means there is no public discussion and it is voted on along with a number of other agenda items, in a single vote.
The intersection improvement is part of the State Road 52 reconstruction project, from east of the Suncoast Parkway to east of U.S. 41, according to the board’s backup materials.
The intersection improvement project cost is $709,460, the agenda packet says.
Under the approved local funding agreement, the state transportation department will construct the intersection improvement, but the work will be paid for by the county.
The FDOT is constructing the widening improvements on State Road 52, from east of the Suncoast Parkway to east of U.S. 41.
The developer for State Road 52 Industrial LLC, will require access from State Road 52 to their future development, on the north side of State Road 52, west of U.S. 41, according to the board’s agenda packet.
This access will be provided through Rhombus Court, which is located on the north side of State Road 52, and aligns with North Sunlake Boulevard on the south side of State Road 52.
The developer has prepared design plans for the improvements that will be needed on State Road 52 at the connections of North Sunlake Boulevard and Rhombus Court.
These plans were reviewed and accepted by the FDOT.
Since the widening project on State Road 52 is already under construction, the FDOT has agreed to include the intersection improvements as part of its construction project, if the county provided funding for the intersection project.
The improvements include a full median opening, eastbound and westbound left and right turn lanes, pedestrian improvements, and additional lighting.
The contractor for the State Road 52 widening project (D.A.B. Constructors Inc.), has been found in default and the FDOT is in the process of rebidding the project, the agenda packet says.
The construction of the intersection improvements was already included and scheduled as part of the State Road 52 widening project prior to the default and will be included in the new bid package.
The estimated cost of the improvements is $709,460.00. The developer for State Road 52 Industrial LLC and the county have entered into a funding agreement, in which the developer paid it a proportionate share of the cost of improvements, in the amount of $199,205.80.
The county has agreed to fund the balance of $510,254.20.
Under the agreement with the FDOT, the county will pay a lump sum to enable construction to proceed.
This payment is due to the FDOT by Oct. 4. If the cost is less than estimated, the funds will be returned to the county.
Published September 29, 2021
