Workers seek some relief

The town of Longboat Key agreed to allow construction workers to use the restrooms at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, before AJAX Paving Industries Inc. began repaving the Manatee County portion of Gulf of Mexico Drive Monday April 27.

But with construction extending more than four miles north of Bayfront Park, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive, many workers have been forced to find alternative facilities.

Tama Hearn, manager of Longboat Title Services LLC, expressed concern after one worker came to her office looking for a restroom Thursday, April 30.

“I was sympathetic to him, because it didn’t seem like they had access to adequate facilities,” Hearn said.

At Longboat Key Financial Group, Operations Manager Carol Bartlett said that another worker came to use the office bathroom.

One flagman, Roy Garcia, said that many workers have had to use restrooms at local businesses, often when they are also buying lunch or snacks.

According to Darren Alfonso, the project’s public information officer for the Florida Department of Transportation, a foreman shuttles workers back and forth between the work site and Bayfront Park Recreation Center throughout the day.

But, when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Juan Florensa, Longboat Key Public Works Director, said the construction workers would be welcome to use the restroom facilities at the Public Works Department, 600 General Harris St.

In addition, he said the facilities at Joan M. Durante Park, 5550 Gulf of Mexico Drive are open to the public and available for use.