TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Change In Plans For Causeway Work

Contractor To Start East of U.S. 41

ADVERTISEMENT

By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

Updated: 06/12/2008 04:55 pm

PALM RIVER - PALM RIVER - Causeway Boulevard will be closed east of U.S. 41 this weekend as crews repave that side of the intersection.

The Florida Department of Transportation had announced the work would be begin on the west side of the intersection but said Thursday officials with the contractor had changed their minds.

"They think it would be better to start on the east side of the intersection," said Kris Carson, an FDOT spokeswoman.

The road will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Monday. U.S. 41 will remain open in both directions.

"We just need a lot of patience from motorist so they can remain safe," Carson said.

The intersection makeover is part of the widening of Causeway between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301.

Carson said crews will remove the asphalt and replace it with concrete 14 inches deep. She said concrete will hold up better under the constant flow of truck traffic from the Port of Tampa.

She said the work was timed to avoid the heavy crush of commuter and truck traffic that uses the road on weekdays.

Carson said crews will need to close parts of the intersection for another three weekends. She said the remaining work has yet to be scheduled.

"We have to see how this goes," she said.

Carson said there will be no closures the weekends of July 4 or July 12.

This weekend, traffic will be detoured north along on U.S. 41 and Maydell Drive to State Road 60. Electronic message boards will advise motorists of the detour.

The state is spending $42.7 million to widen the 3.2-mile stretch of Causeway Boulevard between U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 to relieve traffic congestion. New left and right turn lanes will be added at U.S. 41, 78th Street and U.S. 301. A traffic light will be installed at Maydell Drive.

Work is ahead of schedule, and as a result the contractor is in line to make up to $1 million in bonuses. Work began in January and is expected to take 2 1/2 years.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT