Public Works outlines 2025 roadway, sidewalk work and swale program; $710,000 budgeted for roads

Doug (Public Works director) presented the Public Works Department's annual roadway and sidewalk update at the Village of Tequesta council workshop on March 3, detailing planned milling, paving and sidewalk work for fiscal year 2025 and explaining how stormwater swales, utility open cuts and neighboring agency work inform the schedule.

Doug said the department uses an annual road assessment map and coordinates closely with utility projects and the Loxahatchee River District to avoid repaving roads that will soon be opened for underground repairs. He described priorities for the coming year: milling and paving Fairway East and West in the Country Club (after manhole adjustments), completing mill‑and‑pave work in Bayview Estates where recent open cuts have been completed, and work in Cuesta Pines focused on side streets and roads impacted by prior stormwater failures.

Staff said the village holds contractors to specifications: when an open cut occurs, the contractor must repair base rock, provide compaction density reports, provide a temporary patch and then mill and pave 25 feet in each direction of the patch. Doug said crews recently repaired the crown and swale in several locations (Point Drive, Whitehall condominiums) to direct water off the roadway and reduce deterioration.

Sidewalk work: staff reported $170,000 budgeted for sidewalk improvements and plans to work on Riverside Drive (north side within village limits) and Tequesta Drive (Mars Avenue to U.S. 1). Where sidewalks are ADA‑compliant but narrower than village code, staff will expand to the required 5‑foot width in targeted segments.

Budget and procurement: Doug said $710,000 is budgeted for roads in FY25. The village is piggybacking on Palm Beach County's Wind and Sons Construction contract and has a proposal from Wind and Sons for $688,861.35; the department said it intends to spend the available funds to complete as much work as possible and will present related contract approvals at an upcoming council meeting.

Other items: staff described a Palm Beach County program to install audible pedestrian signals at selected signalized crossings for visually impaired pedestrians; the county will pay the cost at Old Dixie and is advancing work at Seabrook and Tequesta Drive. The audible devices were estimated at about $37,560 and will be paid from the sidewalk/capital fund.

Council and staff discussed swales and right‑of‑way: staff said property owners who replace landscaping or otherwise alter front yards typically trigger permits that require swale details; however, staff cannot force swale installation solely because a homeowner repaves a driveway. Staff said some swales have deteriorated over time, contributing to water pooling in roadways, and that rebuilding swales is a recurring operational topic. Staff also noted potential need to remove hedges or small trees inside the right‑of‑way to restore drainage; the department said it will notify residents in advance and handle property impacts with care.

Staff said county‑owned roads (e.g., Bermuda Terrace pockets) appear on the county's five‑year plan; the village receives the county plan and coordinates with county staff but observed that not all requested roads appeared on that plan.

Next steps: staff will present the Wind and Sons contract/authorization and any budget amendments at an upcoming council meeting and publish the quarterly project timeline on the village website. Council asked staff to continue prioritizing coordination with utilities and Loxahatchee River District to limit rework and to include educational outreach about permits, swales and right‑of‑way in village communications.