At 9:00 a.m. this morning, Historic City News was on hand as the mayor, commissioners, residents and other city and other private sector dignitaries, assembled at the north end of the Marine Supply & Oil Company parking lot to break ground on the long awaited Riberia Street Rehabilitation Project.
The intersection of Riberia Street and Bridge Street is the demarcation point for Phase I of the $3.4 million undertaking; which, according to Mayor Joe Boles, “will not take the five years to complete that we had with the bridge.”
Martha Graham, P. E., the city’s Public Works Director, estimates that one year will be required for installation of new storm-drains and sidewalks, replacement of sanitary sewer, force-mains and water-mains and to bury electric lines between King Street and Bridge Street. Phase II, the continuation of work between Bridge Street and the end of Riberia Street is expected to take another year.
Detours are in place as work commences on Riberia Street, today. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue is the detour route; north and south. Lincolnville residents will need to approach Riberia Street addresses north of Bridge Street by traveling the intersecting streets — westbound from Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue.
In the ceremony this morning, the mayor pointed out that there have been more than five years of planning this project; as he named various agencies who have contributed to its cost. Florida DOT contributed $400,000, Boles said — however they had no representative on hand.
US Congressman John L. Mica had district representative Patrick Kelly in attendance as were representatives from the planning, engineering and construction companies doing the work.
The mayor introduced members of the audience who were elected officials and those representing stakeholders in the project. City Commissioners Leanna Freeman and Nancy Sikes-Kline participated — Leary is out-of-town and Jones did not participate.
The Mayor introduced and praised the guidance of City Manager John Regan. After brief remarks, Regan introduced Public Works Director Martha Graham who thanked everyone for what they had done to get this project moving forward, “even before I got here.”
Eleven shovels ceremonially hit the mound of pre-deposited dirt to applause from the assembled group that was comprised largely by various city staffers. About 50 people attended the ceremony which lasted thirty minutes.
George Gardner, former Mayor; Martha Graham, Public Works Director; Leo Masci, Masci Construction; Loran Lueders, Police Chief; Linda James, Lincolnville Crime Watch: Leanna Freeman, Vice Mayor; Mike Arnold, Fire Chief; Patrick Kelly, District Representative for Congressman John Mica; John Regan, City Manager; and Nancy Sikes-Kline, Commissioner, all participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer
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