Officials: Road project on schedule

Florida Keys News - Key West Citizen

Friday, January 11, 2013

Officials: Road project on schedule

State rep says looks deceive on N. Roosevelt Blvd.

BY GWEN FILOSA Citizen Staff
gfilosa@keysnews.com

The $42 million reconstruction of North Roosevelt Boulevard is on schedule and the work is getting done despite the public perception that the torn seams of the island's main entryway are gathering dust, officials said Thursday.

"It is right where it should be," said state Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, who met this week with the main players in Key West.

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I understand the next closest bid was about $80,000 more and

Submitted on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:08pm by Tina

I understand the next closest bid was about $80,000 more (?) and was to be done in 9 months. So, the powers that be chose the low bid, thereby putting the cost of taking the 'cheap route' on the backs of the businesses. I have found that it takes me 45 minutes each way if I have to go to New Town so I just don't go anymore. It once took me 10 - 15 minutes.

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OH, good heavens! Just because the holiday was 'announced' and

Submitted on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 6:00pm by *.* CLEARLY the original

was part of the contract doesn't make it right. I'd like to know the person responsible for reviewing contracts because he or she should be fired. As for workers being 'underground'? Really? I've seen no entrance to underground work areas.

I have a very busy work day in Old Town and have no time to sit in traffic an additional 45 minutes to do something in New Town when I can get it online or in Old Town. I hate it for the businesses out there, but my time is valuable too. Now I only go to Publix once ever 2 1/2 or 3 weeks where I did go every week. I've begun buying a lot more from Amazon Prime since it's 2 day delivery and free shipping. Besides, the few times I've dealt with the mess to go to New Town for something, the business didn't have it or was out of stock and I ended up going home, fuming, and buying it online. The State has done this to these businesses and the State should be sued.

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schedule, schmedule

Submitted on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 9:53am

This project was blown before it started. Run correctly it could be completed in 365 easy. Contractors always attempt to stretch the schedule to justify bloated bids and protect max incentive harvesting. If the State would offer them 5 mil to complete before July you'd see 75 busy little bee's going gangbusters and paving trucks by May. BTW, the excuse about "working underground" is bs, when they lay the storm sewers sections, etc., you'll know it due to the presence of an "in use" crane. This contractor has the majority of his workforce on the mainland milking some other project for now.

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RATE THE MEETING OUTCOME

Submitted on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 9:21am by edkw

The scores on this meeting are now official: Contractor - 2014; Residents - 0. At least Rep. Raschein and Mayor Cates made an effort to get this project moving faster but it is evident who has the real power - Fla. DOT. Sadly, the businesses along Roosevelt Blvd. are the real losers.

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Crosswalks

Submitted on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 8:24am by Rational

There is a crosswalk at the Triangle entrance to the island, therefore the right hand lane is not a through lane at all times. Florida laws require vehicles to stop when a pedestrian is present at a crosswalk - we cannot install a green arrow.

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"Right on schedule?" NOT for a 1 year project,.

Submitted on Fri, 01/11/2013 - 7:49am by none

This article....is so typical of Key West BS. The project is "right on schedule".......for a forever 3 year project....but NOT "right on schedule".....for the time that it should be taking....about 1 year....to complete. They must think that we're all idiots. Everyone drives past this mess every single day. THERE IS NO ONE WORKING!!! HELLO!!!! IF.....there were HUNDREDS of workers and machines going.......these comments would be more believable. Allow me to make it easier for those of you who don't get it: They're switching off workers here.....with other....MORE IMPORTANT projects elsewhere. They threw that "3 YEARS TO COMPLETE" nonsense at us.......TO BUY THEMSELVES TIME. GET IT? It's NOT...a 3 year job. How absolutely insulting.