BRADENTON BEACH – City officials share some lingering concerns about the permeable brick paver sidewalk the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is installing along Gulf Drive.
The concerns include potential safety and tripping hazards and the city’s future liability and maintenance responsibilities.
Funded and supervised by FDOT, the sidewalk project calls for the replacement of the existing concrete sidewalk along Gulf Drive North, from Ninth Street North to the s-curve near the south end of Avenue C.
The larger, permeable pavers being used for the FDOT sidewalk project are approximately a foot thick and are much thicker than standard-sized brick pavers. It’s hoped the thicker pavers will provide greater stability and durability alongside the heavily traveled state road and state-owned right of way.
According to the post-project maintenance agreement with FDOT which Mayor John Chappie, City Clerk Terri Sanclemente and City Attorney Ricinda Perry signed in September 2020, the city will be responsible for the future maintenance of the FDOT-installed sidewalk.
According to the agreement, “It is understood and agreed by the parties that upon completion of the project, the local agency (the city of Bradenton Beach) shall be responsible, at its costs, for maintenance of said project. Maintenance items to be maintained by the local agency shall include, but not be limited to: removal of graffiti, pervious pavers and aesthetic features. The local agency shall maintain pavement surfaces free from residue accumulation, algae, vegetation and other slip or trip hazards. The local agency shall sweep, vacuum, edge and provide weed control along the project corridor from 10th Street to Avenue C, only at the permeable brick paver locations. The local agency shall ensure the safety of the public by repairing shifted pavers and maintaining the permeable brick pavers and any other safety features within the project corridor. The local agency shall maintain and repair the permeable brick pavers at its sole cost and expense, in a good and workmanlike manner and with reasonable care.”
Before entering into the agreement with FDOT, the mayor, city commissioners, public works director and city attorney expressed concerns about the use of the oversized pavers and the ongoing maintenance responsibilities and costs to be incurred by the city.
Chappie addressed the city’s ongoing concerns during the Thursday, Oct. 7 city commission meeting.
“It’s not what we expected. We don’t really have high expectations of how successful it’s going to be. We have put FDOT on notice of our grave concerns with regards to safety, the tripping hazards and how it’s being installed. We don’t want to increase any extra liability on our city for something FDOT is doing,” Chappie told the commission.
“I worry about pavers. You are going to trip on pavers. They can’t be even all the time,” City Commissioner Jan Vosburgh added.
“It’s their right of way, their sidewalk,” Chappie responded.
Chappie noted Public Works Director Tom Woodard had communicated the city’s concerns to FDOT officials. Woodard emailed FDOT Construction Project Administrator Chris McInnis on Monday, Oct. 4.
“I just wanted to touch base with you about the sidewalk replacement/brick installation project, as a few concerns with the installation have been brought to my attention. I just need to be sure that correct installation oversight and inspection is taking place? The brick appears to be wavy with some potential trip hazards. I’m sure the abundant groundwater and with the weight/size of the bricks it makes for a difficult installation, but we need to be sure we get the best end result possible,” Woodard stated in his email.
In the response he sent Woodard that day, McInnis wrote, “The installation of the pavers are being installed per plan and manufacturer specifications. The contractor is doing their best to provide a quality product. The contractor and I have been working close together in making sure that all the concerns of the department, county and Bradenton Beach are mediated. Any and all concerns regarding the safety of the finished product will be addressed.”
After receiving a copy of that email exchange, Chappie sent Woodard an email that said, “Thanks for putting FDOT on notice of our grave safety concerns. This type of design, using blocks, have inherent challenges with installation. Thanks for staying on top of this project.”
