FDOT updates State Road 19 multimodal project; city, businesses press for fixes to bulb‑outs and drainage

Florida Department of Transportation officials told the Eustis City Commission on Aug. 21 that construction of the State Road 19 multimodal improvement project is on schedule for an October 2025 completion but still faces open items including signal work, landscaping and a drainage structure at Bay and Orange streets.

DOT project manager Philip Madger and construction engineer Rohan McDonald briefed the commission and answered detailed questions about crosswalks, rapid rectangular flashing beacons, curb extensions ("bulb‑outs"), sidewalk ramps and drainage. Madger said the work began in August 2024 and the contract is for about $12,400,000; DOT had paid roughly $6,700,000 to date.

The presentation matters to downtown businesses and drivers because the corridor includes signal upgrades, raised crosswalks, new pedestrian lighting and landscaping intended to calm traffic and improve walkability. Commissioners and business owners argued the design has created traffic and access problems that could harm downtown commerce and emergency response.

DOT described construction progress in several categories: raised sections were about 80% complete; RRFBs (rapid rectangular flashing beacons) and pedestrian signal wiring were underway; signal upgrades and curb work were in early stages; drainage work was 98% complete except for a new structure at the southeast corner of Bay/Orange; and landscaping will be installed near the end of the project. Madger said the contract includes replacement of signal equipment and reconstruction of some traffic signal foundations.

Commissioners and several downtown business owners told DOT they are seeing recurring problems on the ground. Bay Pharmacy’s owner, George Warren, said the bulb‑outs reduced parking capacity and created access problems for customers picking up medications. DOT replied that the agency shortened several bulb‑outs to regain parking and had worked with the city to add parking spaces in a nearby lot to maintain access. DOT said any lane closures by contractors must preserve business access and that a prime contractor will be held responsible if subs fail to coordinate.

Residents and business owners also raised landscaping concerns. Multiple speakers asked why DOT planned to plant cabbage palms and Asiatic jasmine in compacted soils and whether trees would conflict with Duke Energy distribution lines. Madger said DOT sends final plans to utilities for review and that DOT had met with Duke Energy and identified potential conflict locations; adjustments were in progress. He also told the commission that the contract does not include irrigation for the new plantings and that landscaping will be maintained by DOT construction maintenance until project completion.

On drainage, DOT acknowledged the Bay/Orange area remains sensitive to lake elevations. Madger said the project adds local storage (a larger catch basin and a French‑drain tie‑in to a 54‑inch line) to increase capacity, but when lake head pressure is high the lake controls outfall and flooding may still occur. "This project was more about pedestrian safety and upgrades of that nature," Madger said.

DOT also told the commission that the agency had adjusted curb radii at locations near the police and fire stations after consulting first responders. Rohan McDonald said DOT changed a curb from a non‑mountable profile to a mountable profile to allow ladder and rescue trucks to make required turns.

Contract logistics and schedule details that DOT provided: the contractor is Southland Construction, the designer was KCA, construction engineering was Eisman & Russo; brick pavers used in the project required an additional order of about 3,000 bricks because of breakage during installation; final landscaping/cleanup is planned through project closeout. Madger said the anticipated contract completion remains October 2025 and the contract total is $12,400,000.

Discussion only; no formal action was taken. Commissioners asked DOT to keep meeting participants informed and to follow up on power‑line conflicts, the Bay Pharmacy access, and the drainage structure at Bay and Orange.

Why this matters: the project reshapes central Eustis’ main commercial corridor, affecting pedestrian safety, downtown economic access and stormwater performance during heavy rains. DOT will return to the city as work continues and residents are expected to monitor the remaining construction items.