Polk County OKs nearly $4.9 million in intersection improvements with Ajax Paving

Polk County commissioners on July 21 approved two construction contracts with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida to improve traffic signals and turn lanes at two county intersections, a county manager said. County Manager Bill Beasley asked the board to approve the Country Club Road at Buckeye Loop Road contract in an amount not to exceed $2,774,976.16 and a Kathleen Road at Deason Road contract not to exceed $2,150,875.08, both in connection with competitive bid processes.

"Polk County has completed the public process to solicit bids ... and I would request the board to approve a construction contract with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida in an amount not to exceed $2,774,976.16," Beasley said when presenting the Country Club Road item. Staff reported the apparent low responsive bid for the Country Club project was $2,642,835.16 and that $132,141 of allowance/contingency is included in the recommended award. The Kathleen Road project was presented with a low responsive bid of $2,048,453.08 and a contingency allowance included in the recommended award.

Commissioner (speaker 11) told colleagues the Kathleen Road intersection has been delayed by coordination with CSX and that residents are awaiting the improvement. The board approved each contract by voice vote; the motions were seconded and recorded as "motion carries" in the meeting minutes. No protests were reported during the county's bid process for either project.

The county said the Country Club Road work includes installing a traffic signal, turn‑lane construction and drainage improvements, and the Kathleen Road project will convert a stop‑controlled intersection to a signalized intersection, extend existing turn lanes and add a new southbound right turn lane. Both projects are funded in the county's Transportation Trust Fund and included in the five‑year roads and drainage community investment program.