North Port Commission approves Price Widening construction contract

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

CITY OF NORTH PORT, FL – The North Port City Commission on Tuesday approved the construction contract for the much-anticipated Price Boulevard Widening Project, solidifying an April 2025 start.

The agreement for the estimated $80 million project was reached with Watson Civil Construction, Inc., following a competitive bid process.

The work covers a 2.75-mile stretch from east of Sumter Boulevard to west of Toledo Blade Boulevard. The scope of work includes expanding the roadway from two to five lanes, which includes a continuous center turn lane; adding multi-use paths on each side of the road; installing a new closed drainage system; improving the utilities system and signalized intersections along the corridor.

“We are thrilled to see this project finally come to fruition,” North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher said. “This needed widening will not only help alleviate traffic, but strengthen our evacuation routes and clear the way for emergency responders, creating a safer community.”

Voters approved a referendum in 2022 to borrow up to $80 million in bonds payable with Sarasota County penny sales tax funds to widen the road. While the referendum authorized borrowing up to $80 million, the City secured bonds at $53.835 million to align with available surtax revenues required for repayment. This responsible approach ensured the City obtained an excellent interest rate while maintaining its strong bond rating.

The imminent need to improve Price Boulevard became clearer after significant weather events, including Hurricane Ian in 2022 and subsequent heavy rain events that impacted Price Boulevard. In October 2023, a section of Price required emergency repairs due to damage caused by over 5.5 inches of rain in just two hours.

The project’s redesign was completed in early 2024 after modifications were made to the proposed waterway crossings to increase their resiliency to future storms, incorporating lessons learned from Hurricane Ian. Since then, City staff have been finalizing the permitting, developing documentation for the bond with our outside financial advisors, and securing additional state funding to help pay for the project. Additionally, the construction bid was advertised, and the resulting contract was drafted and approved.

Construction will take place on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to limit impacts to neighbors and comply with City Code. The City intends to follow a traffic plan that minimizes disruptions to the greatest extent possible. Except for intermittent road and sidewalk closures that are necessary to construct the waterway crossings, the road is expected to remain open to traffic throughout construction.

The City is committed to keeping residents informed throughout construction. For more information or to sign up to receive email updates on the Price Boulevard Widening Project, visit NorthPortFL.gov/Price. Residents can call the dedicated project voicemail box at 941-240-6960 or email [email protected].