The permanent rebuild of the South Florida Avenue (SR 37) road diet corridor between Ariana Street and Lime Street in Dixieland has faced significant timeline extensions and construction complexities:
📅 Estimated Timeline & Key Milestones
- Design Phase: Expected to hit 100% completion by December 2026.
- Bidding & Final Approval: Slated for February 2027.
- Construction Start: Scheduled to break ground in Spring 2027.
- Construction Duration: Buildout is anticipated to take 2 to 3+ years, meaning physical work and lane restrictions will likely extend into 2029 or 2030.
🚧 Why the Construction Will Take So Long
- Phased “One Lane at a Time” Construction: Because South Florida Avenue is a high-volume north-south arterial corridor, crews cannot shut the roadway down entirely. Traffic engineering plans require work to be completed incrementally—one lane at a time—similar to the approach used on Lakeland Hills Boulevard.
- Complex Utility & Right-of-Way Relocation: Beyond paving, the $22 million project involves extensive underground utility reconstruction, storm drainage updates, right-of-way acquisition, and sidewalk adjustments along historical commercial frontages.
- Traffic Restrictions & Signalization: During construction, left turns will be limited in designated sectors to prevent gridlock, slowing down the overall pace of heavy equipment movement and concrete pouring.
💡 What the Final Plan Includes
When completed, the temporary concrete barriers will be removed and replaced with a permanent standard layout:
- Three 11-foot travel lanes (one lane northbound, one lane southbound, plus a center turn lane).
- Expanded multi-use sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Mid-block signalized pedestrian crossings (including one near Born & Bread Bakehouse between Belmar and Park Streets).
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