Dunedin authorizes FDOT license to regrade two city driveways for US‑19/State Road 586 widening

The Dunedin City Commission on April 3 approved a license and maintenance agreement allowing the Florida Department of Transportation’s contractor to perform regrading work on two pieces of city property as part of FDOT Project 448486‑1‑5602: Alternate US‑19 (Broadway) widening and resurfacing at State Road 586 (Curlew Road).

Clay Watkins of Utilities and Engineering told the commission the FDOT scope includes new turn lanes, sidewalk work, medians, bus pull‑outs, a new stormwater system and changes to roadway elevation that require walls and regrading outside the FDOT right‑of‑way. Two affected city properties are the access driveway to Lift Station 15 (behind the animal hospital) and the access to the Turtle Tower. The license agreement allows the FDOT contractor to perform the regrading on city property at FDOT expense.

Watkins said the city attorney reviewed the agreement; no additional city funding is required for the work. Commissioners asked technical questions about stationing and drainage; staff said the work will not impede existing drainage, which sheets toward the golf course and Curlew.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Walker moved, the motion was seconded, and the resolution passed unanimously by roll call.

Why it matters: the project is a state roadway improvement that will change roadway elevation and roadway geometry adjacent to Dunedin properties; the agreement clarifies permissions so FDOT can complete the work on city property.

What’s next: the mayor was authorized to sign the license agreement subject to commission approval; staff will coordinate construction timing and any required maintenance obligations under the agreement.