Price Boulevard Widening Project

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Latest Updates 

UPDATE - June 6, 2025

The speed limit on Price Boulevard has been temporarily reduced to 40 mph due to construction. 

This change applies between Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard. North Port Police Department will be monitoring the area.

UPDATE - April 25, 2025:

The City of North Port commemorated a major milestone with a construction kickoff ceremony for the long-awaited Price Boulevard Widening Project on Friday.

The event, held at the corner of Price Boulevard and North Main Street, brought together city commissioners, leadership and invited guests to mark the official start of the City’s largest infrastructure project to date. The occasion was marked with a ceremonial flip of a switch to turn on a signboard.

The Price Boulevard Widening Project will expand approximately 2.8 miles of roadway from east of Sumter Boulevard to west of Toledo Blade Boulevard.

This project was made possible after North Port voters approved a 2022 referendum authorizing the City to borrow funds for the expansion. The City Commission awarded the construction contract to Watson Civil Construction, Inc. in March 2025 following a competitive bid process. The Notice to Proceed for major construction is scheduled for May 19, 2025, with utility relocation work already underway.

“This needed widening will not only help alleviate traffic but strengthen our evacuation routes and clear the way for emergency responders, creating a safer community,” North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher said.

The Price Boulevard corridor serves as a vital east-west artery for North Port, and the improvements are expected to address longstanding traffic congestion, enhance stormwater management, and improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Construction is anticipated to take approximately three years, with substantial completion targeted for late 2027. The City is committed to minimizing disruptions by maintaining traffic flow throughout construction, except for intermittent closures necessary for waterway crossings.

For ongoing updates and more information about the Price Boulevard Widening Project, residents are encouraged to visit NorthPortFL.gov/Price, call 941-240-6960 or email PriceWideningInfo@NorthPortFL.gov

 

Project Features

  • Four travel lanes/two in each direction
  • A continuous bi-directional center left lane
  • A ten feet wide multi-use path on each side of the roadway

 

By the Numbers

  • Price Boulevard widening from two lanes to four lanes between Toledo Blade and Sumter Boulevards
  • The project is approximately 2.8 miles in length
  • New traffic signal mast-arm infrastructure at three major intersections: Salford Boulevard, Cranberry Boulevard and Chamberlain Boulevard
  • All traffic signals including Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard will be interconnected and synchronized
  • Five miles of culvert drainage pipe
  • Twelve drainage (stormwater) detention ponds
  • Emergency traffic signal to be installed at Citizens Parkway for Fire/EMS
  • 5.7 miles of Type "F" curb and gutter
  • Approximately 17,333 tons of asphalt
  • 195 drainage curb inlets
  • 6 of 10-foot-wide concrete multi-use path
  • 21,000 landscape plants (primarily around drainage ponds)
  • 248 streetlights
  • Bi-directional left-turn lane

 

What will the road look like?

You can see what the initial design of the road will look like projected over the current roadway by viewing the Price Boulevard Map Projection.

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Price Boulevard between Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard except at the signalized intersections

 

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Price Boulevard at Signalized Intersections - Salford Boulevard, Cranberry Boulevard and Chamberlain Boulevard

 

Temporary Construction Easement

Property owners on Price Boulevard will need to sign and return a Temporary Construction Easement and Right of Entry form, which gives the City temporary permission to access your property, primarily to remove and reconstruct a new driveway and do ancillary work to adjust your front yard to meet the new road and sidewalk. View an example of the Temporary Construction Easement and Right of Entry form(PDF, 130KB). If you have not yet signed a Temporary Construction Easement (TCE), please contact the project team, and one will be provided. When reaching out, include your name, address, and phone number. Please send to PriceBlvdInfo@NorthPortFL.gov or call (941) 240-6960. If you need assistance with notarizing the document, please call (941) 240-6960 — the City will provide notary services at no charge.

 

More Information

FAQs

General Questions

Q: When will the project start?

A: Major road work will begin May 19, 2025. 

Q: When will the project be complete?

A: The construction is estimated to take approximately three years to complete, with substantial completion estimated in late 2027.

Q: What will be the speed limit during and after construction?

A: The speed limit during and after construction will be 40 mph. However, please be cognizant of worker safety when travelling on Price Boulevard and slow down for workers along the road.

Q: Will the road be open during construction?

A: The road will remain open to traffic as much as possible during construction. On occasion, there may be the need for periodic lane or road closures to accommodate specific construction tasks. These will be communicated and signed in advance.

Q: Will the sidewalks be open during construction?

A: A pedestrian pathway on one side of the roadway is expected to be open to pedestrian traffic as much as possible throughout construction.

Q: What will the hours of work be?

A: Construction will normally occur on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.. Occasionally night time, weekend or holiday work may be needed for specific construction tasks. The public will be notified of these occasional work hours.

Q: What will the new road look like?

A: : The new road section will have two lanes in each direction and a continuous bi-directional turn lane down the center. Sidewalks will be provided on both sides, and the roadside swales will be replaced with a closed curb and gutter drainage system.

Q: Will the new road have pedestrian and bicycle accommodations?

A: A 10-foot-wide multi-use path will be provided on both sides of the roadway.

Q: How much will it cost?

A: As of March 18, a construction contract has been awarded to Watson Civil Construction, Inc. for nearly $80 million. 

Q: How is the project being funded?

A: The project will be funded with bond approved by voters in 2022.

Q: What is the plan in case of a hurricane?

A: In the event of a hurricane or tropical storm warning, the work site will be cleaned of any loose debris and all equipment and materials secured or relocated. The road will be opened to traffic, conditions permitting.

Questions Pertaining to Residences on Price Boulevard

 

Q: How can I tell where construction will take place close to my home?

A: The contractor is installing right-of-way markers along Price Boulevard to clearly identify the area where construction activity will occur. These markers show the line between your property and the public space where construction will take place. The markers are there to guide construction crews and make sure work stays within the designated area.

Q: How will I get my mail during construction?

A: The City is coordinating with the United States Postal Service (USPS) in working out details on a plan and process to sustain postal service. Residents will be advised and updated as/when plans and the process are finalized.

Q: How will the city pick-up my garbage during road construction?

A: The city and contractor are developing a plan and process to sustain garbage pick-up service. Residents will be advised and updated as/when plans and process are finalized.

Q: How will my driveway connect to the new roadway smoothly?

A: As part of the project, crews will ensure that your driveway transitions smoothly to the newly widened roadway. This may involve adjusting the slope or grading of your driveway to match the new road level, ensuring a safe and seamless connection for easy access. Property owners will need to sign a Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) agreement to allow the contractor access to make these necessary adjustments. If you do not wish to sign the agreement, we will not be able to tie in the driveway smoothly and it will be a bump between the road and your driveway. For more information please contact the project team at PriceBlvdInfo@NorthPortFL.gov or call (941) 240-6960.

Q: What will happen to my driveway?

A: The part of your driveway in the city road right-of-way will be removed and replaced to conform to the new road. You incur no costs for this work.

Q: What if I have a paver driveway?

A: Your pavers will be used again as part of your new driveway. If your pavers cannot be reused, the driveway will be replaced with a paver as visually similar as possible to the existing driveway.

Q: What if my driveway is painted?

A: Your new driveway will be painted as close as possible to match your previous/existing driveway color.

Q: How will the new road affect my front yard?

A: The edge of the new sidewalk will be approximately where your swale is now. The swale will be filled in and a portion of the front yard in the right-of-way area may be graded and sodded to continue to drain toward the road.

Q: Why do I have to sign the easement form?

A: The easement form gives the city temporary permission to access your property, primarily to remove and reconstruct a new driveway and do ancillary work to adjust your front yard to meet the new road and sidewalk.

Q: How long will I be without a driveway?

A: You may be without a driveway for up to 8 days to allow for concrete to cure when your new driveway is poured.

Q: Where do I park when I have no driveway?

A: The city’s contractor will be responsible to provide an acceptable location and access to your home while your new driveway is under construction.

Q: How will I get into my house when my driveway is being replaced?

A: The city will require the road contractor to coordinate with each resident, as needed, to sustain access at all times from the area under construction to a point of entry into your house.

Q: What will happen to any landscaping/trees in the temporary construction easement?

A: Any trees or landscaping in the temporary construction easement will be replaced.

Q: What will happen to my mailbox?

A: All residents will receive a new mailbox. All the new mailboxes will be the same.

Q: What if I have any landscape timbers or landscaping affected by the work?

A: Any landscaping within the right-of-way will be removed with this project to accommodate the roadway, drainage and sidewalk installations. Any landscaping within the Temporary Construction Easements will be protected as much as practicable.

 

 

Previous Updates

PREVIOUSLY - March 19, 2025:

The North Port City Commission on Tuesday approved the construction contract for the much-anticipated Price Boulevard Widening Project, solidifying an April 2025 start.

The agreement for the estimated $80 million project was reached with Watson Civil Construction, Inc., following a competitive bid process.

The work covers a 2.75-mile stretch from east of Sumter Boulevard to west of Toledo Blade Boulevard. The scope of work includes expanding the roadway from two to five lanes, which includes a continuous center turn lane; adding multi-use paths on each side of the road; installing a new closed drainage system; improving the utilities system and signalized intersections along the corridor.

"We are thrilled to see this project finally come to fruition," North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher said. "This needed widening will not only help alleviate traffic, but strengthen our evacuation routes and clear the way for emergency responders, creating a safer community."

Voters approved a referendum in 2022 to borrow up to $80 million in bonds payable with Sarasota County penny sales tax funds to widen the road. While the referendum authorized borrowing up to $80 million, the City secured bonds at $53.835 million to align with available surtax revenues required for repayment. This responsible approach ensured the City obtained an excellent interest rate while maintaining its strong bond rating. 

The imminent need to improve Price Boulevard became clearer after significant weather events, including Hurricane Ian in 2022 and subsequent heavy rain events that impacted Price Boulevard. In October 2023, a section of Price required emergency repairs due to damage caused by over 5.5 inches of rain in just two hours.

The project's redesign was completed in early 2024 after modifications were made to the proposed waterway crossings to increase their resiliency to future storms, incorporating lessons learned from Hurricane Ian. Since then, City staff have been finalizing the permitting, developing documentation for the bond with our outside financial advisors, and securing additional state funding to help pay for the project. Additionally, the construction bid was advertised, and the resulting contract was drafted and approved.

Construction will take place on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to limit impacts to neighbors and comply with City Code. The City intends to follow a traffic plan that minimizes disruptions to the greatest extent possible. Except for intermittent road and sidewalk closures that are necessary to construct the waterway crossings, the road is expected to remain open to traffic throughout construction.

The City is committed to keeping residents informed throughout construction. For more information or to sign up to receive email updates on the Price Boulevard Widening Project, visit NorthPortFL.gov/Price. Residents can call the dedicated project voicemail box at 941-240-6960 or email PriceWideningInfo@NorthPortFL.gov

 

March 19, 2025:

The City of North Port is one step closer to beginning construction on Price Boulevard after reaching an agreement with the selected bidder for the project. Pending City Commission approval of a contract, construction is projected to begin April 2025.

Oct. 29, 2024:

As the bid process continues for the Price Boulevard Widening Project, we thought we’d break down what that looks like:

First, what is a bid? The process can be defined as a structured and regulated procedure designed to ensure fairness, transparency and the efficient use of public funds when awarding contracts for various projects.

The Finance Department advertised the official bid 2024-28 for the Price Boulevard Widening Project on Sept. 3, 2024.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting occurred on Oct. 2, 2024, and was well-attended by various contractor and specialty representatives.

The official bid opening is Dec. 4, 2024. This means all proposals must be submitted on that date to begin review with the Finance Department. The opening was scheduled for Nov. 4, 2024, but was pushed back due to back-to-back hurricanes.

After completing this process, an award recommendation will be drafted and forwarded to Grants in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for review and approval.

Once a submittal is chosen, it will be brought to the City Commission for review and approval at a future meeting.

We anticipate work beginning in early 2025; however, it will not immediately look like a construction site. We will keep you in the loop when lane closures and other changes occur.

North Port’s Aa2 bond rating and low debt position generated significant interest in this competitive financing opportunity. The Finance Department secured an excellent rate for the residents of North Port through this process. The bonds were competitively awarded to Jefferies, LLC, which submitted the lowest bid, achieving a True Interest Cost (TIC) of 3.306908%. The bonds successfully closed on October 23, 2024.

Sept. 3, 2024

The Price Boulevard Widening Project went out to bid for construction. Bids will be accepted for 60 days, after which time a contractor will be selected according to the City’s purchasing guidelines. A construction contract will be presented to the City Commission for approval this winter. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and take 24-36 months to complete.

July 20, 2024

The City hosted a successful open house to provide an opportunity to learn more about the project. City staff was on hand to help answer questions, and 87 residents ended up attending.

Feb. 27, 2024

Engineering and Inspection firm AECOM contract was approved by the City Commission.

 

 

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