North Port hosts July 20 information session on plans for Price Boulevard widening

Property owners must remove irrigation systems, landscaping, temporary fences and signs from city right of way before construction can begin

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

NORTH PORT – The city of North Port is hosting an open house where residents can ask questions about the Price Boulevard widening project .

The meeting is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 20, at the George Mullen Activity Center, 1802 Kramer Way.

In November 2022, 65.7% of city voters approved the sale of $80 million in bonds that will be repaid through proceeds from the local 1% sales tax to pay for widening the 2.75-mile stretch of Price between Sumter and Toledo Blade boulevards.

A ceremonial groundbreaking took place in March 2023, and a variety of utility improvements began last year.

The work will include a redesign and hardening of Price Boulevard’s four waterway crossings, which were heavily impacted by Hurricane Ian.

The city still needs to secure temporary construction easements from all property owners along that stretch of road. Those forms, which must include a notarized signature, will be available for adjacent property owners.

Over the years, irrigation systems, landscaping, fences and signs have been placed in the city right of way by property owners. All of those – as well as parked vehicles – must be moved, before construction can begin. The city’s goal is for that to begin later this year.

Staff will be available to answer questions about the project, as well as provide information about temporary mailboxes.

What will the widening look like?

In May 2018, the City Commission agreed to widen Price Boulevard to five lanes between Sumter and Toledo Blade boulevards, while including a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail and an 8-foot-wide grass utility area where service vehicles can park while lawns are mowed.

The 12-foot wide center turn lanes will have decorative brick pavers instead of asphalt.

Near an intersection, the center turn lane will be 11 feet wide and the grass utility area reduced to 5 feet wide, to allow for a 7-foot-wide median divider. More information is at https://www.northpotfl.gov/price.