Latest news with #PSTA
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘It's ridiculous': Contractor problems leave South Tampa roads in ruin
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Betsy Smith and her husband Art have been living with a problem for more than two years on their quiet South Tampa street. Many of the people who live on San Carlos Street are dealing with the same issue. PSTA approves first step in bringing back Cross Bay Ferry Smith said the city sent them a letter in 2008, saying they would soon start a project to improve the water pressure and fire safety in the area. '2008, we got our first letter from the city, saying they were going to redo the pipes, the water and the sewer lines,' Betsy Smith said. Then the recession came and the project never started. 'It started again with a letter in there from May of 2023, saying that it was going to be a three-week project,' Betsy Smith said. That was 104 weeks ago, and the project still isn't finished. In fact, the contractor doing the work has walked off the job. San Carlos and other streets in the area have been torn up. There are holes in the streets, water pipes that aren't hooked up stick out of their yard and the water pressure in their homes is still low. 'Then they dug up the pavement, they dug up the curbing and drainage,' Betsy Smith said. Frustrated, she called the city. 'And they were like, 'Oh, well, we're working on it',' Betsy Smith said. In addition to the water pipes that aren't hooked up, there are two fire hydrants on the street that are not connected. 'The communication between the city and the neighborhood has been zero,' Betsy Smith said. A city spokesperson issued a statement, saying: 'This project was designed to improve our water service to this community by replacing nearly 6 miles of aging pipeline and, by doing so, increasing water pressure, improving fire protection, and reducing future water main breaks. The City hired Young's Communication to complete the $5.37 million dollar project, and gave the go ahead to start work in late 2021. In April, however, the contractor stopped the project due to financial reasons, leading the City to declare Young's in default of its contract with the City.' Now, no work is being done at all, and the Smiths and their neighbors are angry. 'It's ridiculous to be put off this long,' Art Smith said. The statement from the city goes on to say, they are working to resolve the issue: 'City employees have submitted a claim against the construction company's performance bond and are working with its insurance company to hire a new contractor to finish the project at no additional cost to taxpayers.' However, at this time, a new contractor has not been selected. Holes remain in San Carlos and other streets and there is no set date for when the situation will improve. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sarasota County looking into different options for historic bridge in need of repairs
OSPREY, Fla. (WFLA) — The Blackburn Point Bridge in Osprey was built in the 1920s. It is currently listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Sarasota County Register of Historic Places. 'When the bridge was originally designed and constructed, the expected service life would have been 50 years, but this bridge, in 2026, will be celebrating its 100th-year anniversary in Sarasota County. It has basically served us for two lifetimes, and we have invested a lot in the bridge to make sure it could do that,' said transportation structures engineer with Sarasota County James Stock. PSTA approves first step in bringing back Cross Bay Ferry Over the last century, the coastal environment has taken a toll on the bridge, leading to repairs after repairs. Those repairs have grown to become more costly over the years because many of the parts need to be made specifically for the aging structure. Now, Stock says it is time to prepare for the future. 'We are at a point now where the repairs now need repairs. I like to say that we are putting Band-Aids on Band-Aids,' Stock said. There are three possible options on the table. The first is a no-build option, which would mean the bridge remains as is and the county continues to repair it as needed. The second option is to replace the bridge with another swing span bridge. The third option the county is looking into is building a drawbridge. Because the structure is historic, changes would need to be made to meet the modern-day requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard. Changes would include widening the channel. The Coast Guard requirements call for 90 feet. The bridge currently has a 51-foot channel. Another change would be the height of the bridge, which currently has 9.3 feet of clearance, where the Coast Guard wants at least 21 feet of vertical clearance over the water. The height of the bridge has led to failure issues in the past, including during hurricane season last year when the motor and other mechanisms ended up submerged in salt water during Hurricane Milton. County officials said public safety remains at the top of mind as they weigh possible options. 'This is one of only two ways off of Casey Key, the other being Albee Road. So yeah, this is absolutely critical to the residents for emergencies and evacuations,' Stock said. Some locals have expressed concerns about businesses in the area that could be impacted by any changes to the bridge. Others News Channel 8 spoke with hope to see the county find a way preserve the bridge. 'It sure would be great if they could figure out some way to make it safe and keep it because it is a throwback. I have only been here for five years, and I remember one of the first things I fell in love with was Casey Key in general and then that bridge was like, 'OK, that is even better.' It is just really neat. You don't see that everywhere, so it would be nice to see them save it,' said Ted Fatseas. 'I get it. I love this bridge as well, and that is why we are working with the state historic preservation office and the local historical resources to find out what is the best way to preserve this treasured piece of history. I agree, but we have to plan for the future at the same time,' Stock said. County officials plan to hold public meetings for stakeholders at some point. They could begin taking place as soon as this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
PSTA approves first step in bringing back Cross Bay Ferry
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority has taken the first step towards starting a new ferry service. On Wednesday morning, PSTA voted unanimously to approve a $5 million grant that is currently being unused by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. Saharan dust plume heading for Florida: Here's what to know If approved, HART will have their vote next week on whether to transfer the money. 'The grant is in danger of lapsing,' said Darden Rice, PSTA Chief Planning & Community Affairs Officer. PSTA would then use the funds to purchase their own boats, with a goal of purchasing 1-2 boats. In the coming months PSTA plans to put a call out for potential operators to lease the boats and run the service. The plan is for year-round service and more trips, with hopes of increasing ridership and lowering operating costs. PSTA said if HART does not approve the funds, PSTA would still move forward with requesting proposals from potential operators. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pinellas County could bring Cross Bay Ferry service back by buying two of their own boats
The Brief Pinellas County leaders are hoping to bring back the Cross Bay Ferry service – with their own boats. Instead of leasing vessels from an outside vendor, officials hope to buy at least one — possibly two — ferries. The executive board is now recommending accepting a nearly $5 million federal grant – money currently sitting with HART – to fund the purchase. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - After the Cross Bay Ferry wrapped up its final voyage last week, some riders were left wondering whether the popular Tampa Bay area commuter service would ever return. Now, Pinellas County leaders are working to do just that, and this time, they want to own the boats. Big picture view The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is charting a new course for the future of the ferry. Instead of leasing vessels from an outside vendor, officials hope to buy at least one — possibly two — ferries outright. Their plan: Purchase the boats, then hire a contractor to operate the service. RELATED: Cross Bay Ferry makes final voyage with future possibilities still afloat "The goal would be to increase ridership and lower subsidies," said PSTA CEO Brad Miller during an executive leadership meeting this week. Dig deeper That meeting marked the first major step in the effort. The executive board is now recommending accepting a nearly $5 million federal grant – money currently sitting with Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) – to fund the purchase. HART still has to vote to transfer the unused grant to Pinellas. If they don't, Miller said, the funds will revert back to the federal government and could end up benefiting another city entirely. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube "If we could take advantage of this federal grant and purchase the boats, that would reduce the costs," Miller explained. What's next Should the grant fall through, PSTA said it would still move forward, but would likely issue a request for a ferry operator who can supply their own boat, similar to the old model. HART's vote is scheduled for June 1. For now, ferry supporters remain hopeful the scenic ride across Tampa Bay isn't gone for good and that a more permanent solution is just on the horizon. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
