By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
After five years of planning, the Mendonsa Road reconstruction began Sept. 24.
The roadway has a history of flooding and a number of problems with drainage in part, because of its lower placement compared with other surrounding areas.
“It’s a local connector, it does see some traffic, and it’s in bad shape,” City Manager Greg Horwedel said.
Mendonsa pumps water in the area of an existing wetland at Alexander Street. The pumping has led to a premature failure of the sub base and base, which has caused wear and tear on the asphalt surface. Other areas of the road have failed because of the inability to direct water off the wearing surface.
The road failure started along the edge and eventually started to affect the base resulting in an overall failure of the roadway support structure.
On June 9, the City Commission accepted a bid from Marlon Dunn Contracting, of Plant City, for the amount of $1,288,758.19 to carry out the construction on the much-needed project. The project includes installing a 10-inch water main, connecting meters and main lines, installing storm drain lines, excavating and grading the subgrade, installing concrete curbs and drives and then paving the road. It is expected to be finished Nov. 28.
But roads such as Mendonsa, which are 50 to 60 years old, there can be areas of “muck,” where the builders used old logs and pine tar as the road base. If “muck” is found under Mendonsa, it could delay the completion date.
“Until you get into the road and see the sub base, you just don’t know,” Horwedel said.
Up first is the construction of the Pinedale portion of the project. This includes installing additional stormwater piping, water and sewer lines.
Water from the Pinedale development in the past has flowed onto Mendonsa Road. The additional flows have also caused the deterioration of Mendonsa. The Pinedale construction will allow water to be collected from Pinedale and routed into a stormwater management system that will be constructed with the Mendonsa reconstruction.
“It’s a challenge, and we’re hopeful that we don’t have anymore roads like this, but unfortunately you never know with roads that have been built 50 to 60 years ago,” Horwedel said.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
TIMELINE
Sept. 10 to 24: Shop drawing submittal and approval
Sept. 24 to 28: Procure materials
Sept. 24 to Nov. 21: Clear and grub ongoing through phase
Sept. 28 to Oct.19: Install storm drain lines
Nov. 5 to 21: Excavate and grade subgrade; install base and grade
Nov. 12 to 21: Install concrete curbs and drives
Nov. 22 to 23: Install concrete drives
Nov. 23 to 28: Clean up http://amurashova.ru/raschetniy-schet-dlya-ip-besplatno.php