ROAD WORK TO SLOW TRAFFIC ON 2 KEY WEST STREETS

GIRL POWER

REPAIRS UNDERWAY ON SOUTH ROOSEVELT & WHITEHEAD

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) started two major road construction projects on Jan. 3. The projects include South Roosevelt Boulevard from Bertha Street to the end of Smathers Beach, and Whitehead Street from Fleming Street to Truman Avenue.

The South Roosevelt Boulevard project will cost an estimated $23 million and will take about 27 months to complete.

The Whitehead Street project will cost an estimated $2.6 million and will take about 6 months to complete, states a press release from FDOT.

Schedules may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

The South Roosevelt work will include raising the road by 17 inches, along with widening, milling and resurfacing.

Storm drainage and a water pump station system will be installed for mitigation of tidal flooding. Additional work includes repairing and closing the seawall gaps, and sidewalk upgrades, curb ramps and pavement markings.

Three crosswalks with pedestrian hybrid beacons will be installed, along with a sidewalk on a portion of the north side of the road.

The Key West city commission heard from an FDOT project manager at its Jan. 18 meeting, where officials lamented the lack of a designated bike lane in the scope of work along the beach boulevard.

But, Commissioner Sam Kaufman reminded his fellow lawmakers, that’s not FDOT’s fault. A previous commission asked FDOT to remove the bike lanes from the plans, Kaufman said.

As for Whitehead Street downtown, work will include updating signs, pedestrian signals, detectors and ramps. Damaged sidewalks will be replaced, and street lighting will be upgraded to LED. Additional work includes enhancing sight visibility at intersections and improving ADA parking and curb access. The road will also be repaved and restriped with new pavement markings.

“To build these projects safely, it will be necessary to close travel lanes and sidewalks and establish detours at times,” states the FDOT release. “Work will be done in stages to minimize construction-related impacts. Drivers might experience delays traveling through the area and should seek alternate routes if possible. Please use caution when traveling through construction zones.”

More information is available from FDOT’s public information office at 305 4705349, or community outreach specialist Julie Brown at 305927-1479 or Julie.Brown@exp. com. Information about this or other FDOT projects is at fdotmonroe.com.

— Contributed

STARTER CHOICE OF Potato and Leek Creamy Soup

Key West Pink Ceviche

Half Dozen Fresh Water Cold Oysters

Tuna Tartare

Red Endive Leaves

Shor Wedge Salad

ENTREE CHOICE OF Catch Of The Day

Filet Mignon

Lobster Ragout Pappardelle

Grape Tomatoes, Fresh Tarragon

12oz Ribeye