April 26, 2023 – Flagler County is making headway on the 1.7-mile connector within the City of Bunnell – Flagler Central Commerce Parkway – between U.S. 1 and State Road 100. It is expected to enhance safety and promote economic development in the area.
“Flagler County is administering the project for Bunnell,” said County Engineer Faith Alkhatib. “We are always happy to help our municipal partners that will help them with growth management, plans for development, and consistency with CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) plans.”
The existing section of roadway is immediately west of the Wendy’s restaurant and ends at the new Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Operations and District 3 Building (the intersecting roadway is Sheriff EW Johnston Drive). The proposed new roadway section meanders through currently vacant land from its starting point on U.S. 1, southeast of the Dollar General, to its terminus – which includes the existing section – at the intersection with State Road 100.
“We have been working with Bunnell for a number of years to see that this very important connection is constructed,” Alkhatib said. “The city completed the PD&E (Project Development and Environment) Study in 2013, and the design in 2017.”
Flagler County executed an interlocal agreement with the City of Bunnell this past winter to act as an administrator for the project. Flagler County presently is managing the design plans update with advertisement for the proposed construction to follow this summer.
In July 2022, the State of Florida allocated $6.8 million to Bunnell for the project through Legislative Appropriation Funding.
“We greatly appreciate our Legislative Delegation, House Speaker Paul Renner and Senator Travis Hutson, for looking out for Flagler County,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “This project will bolster our economic development efforts, and it will improve public safety by providing all of our first responders – and residents – another way to get across this portion of the county when there is an emergency.”
Project Construction estimates have increased significantly from the $8.8 million projected in 2017.
“Due to inflationary influences in the construction industry that stemmed from industry-wide logistical supply chain issues, high demand for materials creating shortages, and labor shortages – the costs to complete the construction of roadway projects have increased significantly during the time the project was under development,” Alkhatib said.
The project will consist of two, undivided 11-foot lanes with 8-foot roadside shoulders, five feet of which will be paved. There will be open drainage swales on both sides of the roadway. There will be a 5-foot sidewalk along the eastern side. The total right-of-way will be 80 feet, and it will be flanked on both sides by 15-foot easements.
“The actual project construction costs will be determined from contractor bids,” Alkhatib said. “The utility redesign and roadway design update provided an opportunity to identify project cost savings while improving safety.”
The current project schedule anticipates that construction will begin in October. Construction should be ongoing for about 18 months.
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