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Florence council endorses CIP priorities, targets widening and bridge repairs; staff told to pursue grants and design work
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Summary
Council reviewed a 10-year transportation CIP funded partly by a recent local sales-tax increase, endorsed staff priorities (Hunt Highway rehabilitation, Main Street extension, Butte Avenue bridge, Plant Road and recurring pavement preservation) and asked staff to explore moving T48 and T124 into the 2027 window and to pursue grants and partnerships.
The Florence Town Council used its March 30 work session to review a proposed 10-year transportation capital-improvement program (CIP) and to give staff guidance on prioritizing projects funded in part by a recently approved local sales-tax increase.
Town manager Bruce Walls and public-works staff described a package of projects the town is tracking for the next decade, with 2027 showing a subtotal presented by staff of $15,550,000 for listed projects. Town Engineer Lindsey outlined near-term priorities including the Main Street extension (design to 30%), Hunt Highway rehabilitation from Ripken to Franklin (a pavement-preservation project scheduled for July that will keep lanes open), the Butte Avenue bridge rehabilitation (staff noted a $1,000,000 grant has been secured and described a $3,150,000 estimated project budget), and Plant Road as a candidate for a public—ody/private partnership.
Finance discussion focused on how much the town could borrow against the new revenue stream. Councilmember Vincenzo observed the town could expect "roughly, say, $2,500,000 annually" in new revenue from the sales-tax increase and asked whether larger borrowing (e.g., $15M to $25M) was feasible. Finance staff Carl said the current plan being penciled would support about a $15,000,000 loan repayable with the new tax revenue and internal capital funds but noted projections and borrowing capacity would need final confirmation.
Council members emphasized public-safety priorities and asked staff to explore advancing two projects into 2027: T48 (Centennial Park/Adamsville segment) and T124 (Adamsville connector). Several council members said they wanted to show tangible progress in Old Town; others emphasized that moving larger projects forward would require grant funding or private partnership commitments. Vice Mayor Adam and others praised the list's alignment with priorities raised in town halls and urged continued grant-seeking and state lobbying to accelerate certain items.
Staff also provided a brief status update on the recently completed Attaway and Hunt intersection work: Lindsey said guardrail, curbing and signage work would wrap up this week, with chip seal and restriping to follow after a community event.
What happens next: Council gave staff direction to focus on the listed priorities, to pursue design and grant work for T48 and T124 with the aim of moving them earlier if additional funding is obtained, and to return with budget and ordinance actions as needed.
