MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — After nearly a decade and several delays, Crystal Island homeowners are finally getting the road project they've been asking for.
The city says the plan includes long-term and short-term components and will cost an estimated $15 million. The proposal includes improvements to roadways and stormwater drainage systems that accompany involved streets.
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The plan also involves milling and resurfacing Crystal Drive and Flamingo Drive this summer as a temporary measure to stabilize the roadway.
"This is a plan developed with the input of engineers, businesses, community leaders and most importantly our residents," City Manager Johnathan Evans said. "When the city hosted a neighborhood forum to talk about road and transportation issues on Crystal Island, the residents of that neighborhood showed up prepared and ready to work with the city."
For Charles Lambert and his neighbors, living on Crystal Island would be paradise.
"It's overshadowed by our roads," Lambert said.
Nearly all of the roads on the island have potholes and cracks. He says it's enough to damage a car.
According to him, the roads have not been resurfaced since 1987.
"Thirty-two years ago!" he said. "It's terrible."
After eight years of complaints, the city finally has a plan.
"The residents of Crystal Island have consistently watched this project be moved away from the target date that was anticipated for construction," Evans said.
The long-term proposals includes the following streets:
- Crystal Drive
- Flamingo Drive
- Lillian Drive
- John’s Pass Avenue
- Parsley Drive
- 1st Street
- 2nd Street
- Marguerite Drive
- Pelican Lane
- 129th Avenue East
- 131st Avenue East
- John’s Pass Avenue
"I feel [confident] that we are going to get this done," said Lambert.
For more information, contact Curt Preisser, the City of Madeira Beach Public Information Officer, at 727-391-9951 ext: 299 or cpreisser@madeirabeachfl.gov.
