SEBASTIAN – The nearly $1.6 million reconstruction of Barber Street through Sebastian is expected to be painful and tax residents’ and drivers’ patience for more than 200 days beginning next Thursday, Feb. 11.
“There’s no easy way to get Barber done,” City Manager Al Minner told an audience of approximately 50 people – at various points during the public meeting, he asked residents for patience and to use their best judgment and the city would do the same. Barber Street is slated for resurfacing and other improvements along a 3-mile stretch between County Road 512 and Schumann Drive.
The project was originally budgeted for $2.2 million, which the Florida Department of Transportation received from the federal government through stimulus funds. However, the winning contractor, Sheltra and Sons, of Indiantown, Fla., bid the project for $1.58 million.
Betsy Jeffers, the project’s coordinator through FDOT, said that the extra $400,000 was sent back to the federal government and could not be used to expand the scope of the Sebastian project.
Despite the decreased cost for the project, the city will be receiving sidewalks on the west side of Barber Street from Sebastian Boulevard (CR 512) to Adams Street. Minner said after the meeting that the sidewalks were an option under the bid package.
Residents who attended the meeting seemed to be more concerned with what would happen once the roadwork is done, voicing concerns about the potential for more traffic, higher speeds and otherwise unsafe conditions.
Minner told the audience that road studies performed do not show a large increase in traffic on Barber Street, though he said traffic might pick up a little.
“Barber Street is what it is,” Minner said, “a two-lane major thoroughfare serving residential needs.”
He added that the project would not widen Barber Street and other potential road improvements were not part of the work that would be starting next week.
One resident said that the stop signs on Barber Street are not enforced.
“People fail to stop at them,” he said.
“We’ll react to that,” Minner responded, adding that the Sebastian Police Department will be enforcing traffic rules.
Residents also asked about access to their driveways and properties while the construction is underway.
“We’re going to have to walk at some point,” said one resident, explaining that he believes residents will have to park some place else and walk back to their homes. He also questioned if the city had examined how the work would impact their daily lives.
“The aim is to improve daily lives,” Minner said. “We’re going to have a little pain. We are asking for everybody’s patience.”
As for parking on side streets, Minner said the police department would not be issuing tickets to those who have been temporarily displaced due to the construction.
Minner also asked that anyone who does not absolutely need to drive Barber Street avoid it as much as possible. The road will be closed to through traffic, allowing only local traffic – including Barber Street residents, delivery vehicles, service vehicles, mail and waste management.
The Barber Street project will be split into four phases. Each phase is scheduled to last three to four months.
Those phases are:
CR 512 to Tulip
Tulip to Rolling Hill
Rolling Hill to Addie
Addie to Schumann (with the exception of the bridge connecting Concha and Joy Haven)
Detours will be posted once they are in place. Drivers are encouraged to use the following streets around the construction:
Englar,
Schumann,
George,
Melrose,
Periwinkle,
Rolling Hill,
Laconia
Residents and drivers who have any questions or concerns are asked to contact the Florida Department of Transportation Field Office by visiting 730 C Commerce Center Dr., Sebastian, or call (772) 581-6289; or call Ginny Sieferd, of City of Sebastian, at (772) 388-8222; or City Manager Al Minner at (772) 388-8203.
