Public Works CIP Project Update

 

Forest Lakes Boulevard Reconstruction and Widening

Project ID# 002110A

 

Project Location

From West of Pine Avenue to East of Race Track Road

 

Map of Project Area

 

Project Overview

Pinellas County is implementing a programmed Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to reconstruct and widen Forest Lakes Boulevard, from west of Pine Avenue to east of Race Track Road in the City of Oldsmar.

 

This project includes areas of full roadway reconstruction, milling and resurfacing, and widening to add capacity and reduce congestion. The roadway improvements will provide an additional 11’ lane in each direction. This lane addition will upgrade Forest Lakes Boulevard from a two-lane to a four-lane suburban divided roadway. In areas of full reconstruction, the existing road will be excavated and removed to a depth of 3’ or more. Milling and resurfacing of the existing roadway will occur in locations that do not need to be completely reconstructed.

 

The areas of full roadway construction are in large part due to the presence of unsuitable soils underneath the existing roadway. This soil needs to be excavated and replaced to a depth of 3’ or more below the existing ground. This soil replacement along with the installation of new underdrains and pipes will help improve drainage and settlement concerns throughout the project limits. Improving the drainage conditions will enhance the service life of the pavement. New drainage inlets and ditches will be implemented along with the road construction.

 

The roadway will include a 5’ paved shoulder that can be utilized as a bike lane. Medians and traffic separators will be reconstructed in areas of full reconstruction. New sidewalk will be constructed in certain locations within the project limits, and areas with damaged sidewalk that is to remain will be reconstructed. In addition, the project includes upgrading the existing signalized intersections at Pine Avenue and Brooker Creek Boulevard.

 

Existing traffic patterns will be maintained during construction by shifting traffic to an undivided condition on the north side while construction is underway on the south side and vice-versa for the north side construction. Intersection construction will require detours for one direction only and intermittent night-time only lane closures will be utilized throughout construction.

 

Project Schedule

• Design End: Spring 2018
• Construction Start: Winter 2019
• Construction End: Summer 2021

 

The project is funded under the Penny for Pinellas program with partial funding from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) through a County Incentive Grant Agreement.

 

Project Contact

Ms. Erin Lawson, P.E. -- Project Manager
Public Works Transportation Engineering Section
14 S. Ft. Harrison Ave., 6th Floor
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 464-3176
elawson@pinellascounty.org