FPUA board approves FDOT utility-relocation agreement for Kings Highway

The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority board on June 2 approved a utility-work-by-highway-contractor agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation to relocate FPUA water mains along Kings Highway from Ingle Road to Commercial Circle.

Shane Ostrander, the utility environmental engineer, told the board: "I'm requesting approval of the utility work by highway contractor agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation in the amount of $3,285,945.60." He said incorporating the utility relocations into FDOT's construction contract reduces conflicts and potential delays and that FDOT's competitive bidding is expected to lower FPUA's overall cost; staff later summarized the request as approximately $3,290,000.

The board asked whether the project was budgeted and when funds would be due. Staff responded the work is included in the capital improvement plan across fiscal years 2027–2030 and that funds referenced are not due until April 15, 2030. A board member said the agency had already budgeted for the time period and wanted to ensure the expenditure would not divert money from other projects.

A motion to approve the agreement passed on a roll-call vote. Afterward, Cisneros reminded the board that when FPUA utilities are within a right of way they must relocate infrastructure by permit.

The approval allows FPUA's relocation work to be incorporated into FDOT's construction contract; staff said that arrangement will reduce scheduling conflicts and give FPUA the option to terminate the agreement if FDOT's bid exceeds internal unit-price estimates and instead use FPUA's own contractor.

The board’s approval was procedural; next steps include executing the contract and coordinating schedules with FDOT and the selected contractor.