County awards $3.06 million contract for North Galloway Road roundabout; residents praised stormwater attention

Polk County commissioners on Oct. 21 approved a construction contract and related budget actions to build a roundabout at North Galloway Road and 10th Street in Lakeland.

County staff said Ajax Paving Industries of Florida LLC submitted the lowest responsive bid at $2,917,236.56. Under county procedures an allowance of $145,861 was added, bringing the total contract to $3,063,097.56. The contract duration was described as 210 days to final completion with a 31-day allowance for certain work.

The board also approved a capital improvement plan (CIP) amendment and a budget transfer of $1,063,098 to fully fund the project; staff said funding is available in the Transportation Trust Fund.

The project includes construction of the roundabout, installation of streetlights, drainage improvements and maintenance-of-traffic plans during construction, county staff said. Earlier in the meeting two nearby residents spoke in favor of the roundabout while raising stormwater concerns. David Brown, who said he lives at 1220 North Galloway Road, told the board he supported the roundabout but expressed concern about stormwater runoff affecting his property. Shannon Turbeville, owner of the parcel at the proposed project’s southeast corner, also spoke in favor of the safety improvements and thanked commissioners and staff for addressing stormwater questions.

During discussion Commissioner Scott asked whether a road closure would be necessary during construction; county staff indicated there will be no full closure and that access will be maintained during installation.

The board voted to approve the contract, the CIP amendment and the budget transfer; the motion carried with no recorded opposition.