FDOT completes S.R. 64 construction

Although drivers have been using State Road 64 for more than a month without the interferance of construction barricades, the Florida Department of Transportation official completed its widening of the roadway Wednesday.

FDOT consultant and project public information officer Trudy Geneva said the $12.7 million project to widen State Road 64 from four to six lanes from Carlton Arms Boulevard to just west of Interstate 75 finished nearly a year behind schedule.

Final punch-list items deemed complete yesterday included the repair of a drainage pipe and completion of sidewalks.

"All of us are very happy," Geneva said. "I think the citizens are very glad, too. It was one of those never-ending projects."

Geneva said weather and holidays delayed the project slightly, but did not entirely. FDOT penalized contractor Better Roads Inc. for falling behind schedule.

The expansion is considered a capacity project, meaning it was designed to accomodate increased traffic flow on the roadway.

The project also added bicycle and pedestrian lanes to both sides of S.R. 64. 

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].