CLEARWATER - The Board of Pinellas County Commissioners unanimously approved on June 30 going ahead with a scaled-down road improvement project for 102nd Avenue.
The commissioners were presented with two scenarios.
Scenario one would extend the existing four-lane section to the west through the Ridge Road intersection, tapering down for smooth transition to the existing two-lane section.
The scenario also includes intersection improvements at Seminole Boulevard, 113th Street, Ridge Road, 119th Street and Antilles Drive, as well as adding traffic signals at Ridge Road, 125th Street and Antilles Drive. The signal at the Pinellas Trail crossing will be updated and coordinated with other intersections.
The project also calls for construction of missing sidewalk links where sufficient right of way exists, construction of bike lanes where the road is reconstructed (Seminole to Ridge) and would provide an actuated equestrian crossing flashing at the trail crossing.
Cost estimate is $5.7 million - must less than the estimate for the original project of $34 million.
The second option would have extended the four-lane section through the intersection at 119th Avenue and other improvements at a cost of $6.9 million.
County Administrator Bob LaSala told the board that the project would be added back in to the new Capital Improvement Project plan and the budget for the next fiscal year.
