One Of Dunedin's 'Worst' Roads To Be Resurfaced

One of Dunedin's "worst" sections of roadway is soon getting help.

City leaders unanimously approved a nearly $190,500 contract to Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., of Zephyrhills for resurfacing of San Christopher Drive between Pinehurst Road and County Road 1 during a June 20 commission meeting.

"That is by far the worst section of collector roadway in the city," Doug Hutchens, public works and utilities director, said. "We wanted to jump on that."

The city is not adding curbing or bike lanes planned as part of the project, and expects the work to be finished by the end of July.

Reconstruction of the entire road is planned in three stages, with some more work not slated until next fiscal year, a city memo states.

"Certainly have heard a number of comments over the years about the condition of the road," Commissioner Julie Scales said. "I realize we can't do everything at once, but I am glad to see this getting underway."

Vice Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski said she was happy to see the roadwork get underway, but was disappointed it wasn't getting curbed.

"It is not a rural road," she said. "It's an urban road, in my opinion, and I think it should have curbing."

Hutchens said the project was originally supposed to happen all at one time with bike lanes and curbing, but breaking it into pieces by year and omitting those "urban" amenities saves the city nearly $700,000 in One Cent Sales Tax funds for other projects.

"We have to live within our budgets right now," Hutchens said.