For PETE's sake, road project delayed

It appears all the construction efforts to extend Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Lorraine Road may have laid an egg.

Eight bald eagle nests, four on each extension, have been found along the proposed routes, leaving the project, at best, in a major delay and perhaps shutting down construction long term. The situation also affects any development of the area south of University Parkway.

While Florida has laws protecting bald eagle nests during “nesting season,” state and local officials had met to keep the delays to a minimum. However, People for the Ethical Treatment of Eagles (PETE) stepped into the fray and filed a lawsuit to shut down any further construction until a hearing is held.

“We know that thousands of people are being inconvenienced,” said PETE spokesman Whip R. Wills. “But if even one feather is ruffled, we are going to make sure this project goes down in a flaming ball of fury unseen in these parts.”

PETE has successfully halted construction of six dam projects in California, Nevada and Utah, four road construction projects in Wyoming, Texas and New Mexico and even a courthouse being built in Passaic, N.J.

“Have you ever seen a bald eagle soar over a field, its piercing eyes looking for prey, then watching as it dives like a rock until it spears an unsuspecting rabbit?” Wills asked. “It is beauty beyond belief, and we aren’t going to let some blacktop trail through what used to be wilderness muck it up.”

Florida Wildlife’s Aigg Head said this is PETE’s first foray into Florida. “This is Save The Whales on steroids,” Head said. “When this group sinks its eagle claws into you, you have a fight for survival. Personally, I think it could have been better if both sides had sat down at a conference table and negotiated. I’m sure the construction could have taken place outside the nesting season or the nests could have been moved. Now they are going beak-to-beak. I’m 64 and I doubt if I will live to see this project completed.”

Since the construction crews can’t be reassigned as the two sides battle in court, costs for the project are escalated by the millions.

Alternatives already have been discussed. The most viable sends both roadways out around the nests, Lorraine Road to the east, Lakewood Ranch Boulevard to the west, and have them meet at the north and south junctions, forming what would be the state’s largest roundabout.

Local residents just want the projects to be completed.

Country Club resident Bea K. Winger, understands the importance of preserving the bald eagle species, but she can’t help but feel as if her hopes for a quicker, alternative route to Sarasota have been crushed.

“I’ve been looking forward to Lakewood Ranch Boulevard opening up to Fruitville for years now,” Winger said. “I love bald eagles — they are beautiful — but I was really counting on this expansion to finally be over with and finished this summer. And I have to admit, those birds are really dirty, nasty when you see your car windshield.”

One road construction crew member who asked not to be identified was miffed by the delay. 

“This all is very silly,” he said. “These are dandified vultures and nothing more. Give me a bulldozer for an hour and I will take care of the problem. In fact, I am surprised somebody already hasn’t done it.”