A city project to construct a northbound right turn at one of Plant City’s busiest intersections began last week.
The work at the intersection of James L. Redman Parkway and Alexander Street East began May 27, with the relocation of Tampa Electric and Verizon utilities.
The turn lane will help keep traffic flowing by directing it onto Alexander Street East.
“The intersection fails the level of service at the peak hour for this intersection,” City Engineer Brett Gocka said.
The contractor, Ajax, submitted a proposal for the job. Construction is estimated to take about 90 days and cost $510,000.
The project is a joint participation agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation. Even though construction is on a state road, it will be the city’s responsibility to construct the turn lane in lieu of purchasing the Park Road stormwater pond that was constructed to support the widening of Park Road from Interstate 4 to Sam Allen Road.
Originally, the city proposed to construct both the northbound and southbound right-turn lanes on S.R. 39. But the city was unable to secure the necessary right of way from Bank of America to construct the southbound lane.
No southbound construction has been planned for the future at this time.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.