Council hears update on Marion Avenue speed tables: two replacements available, prior asphalt repairs cost about $18,000

At the July 9 pre-agenda meeting, Punta Gorda City staff updated council members on planned reinstallations of speed tables on Marion Avenue and other locations.

Staff said the city has two speed tables in stock: a 7‑foot unit intended for Colony Point and a 14‑foot unit intended for a location identified as Maria. The council sought clarification about a separate speed table at Bellevue; staff said that Bellevue's table had not been a planned replacement because it had not deteriorated.

City staff explained the underlying maintenance issue: the original asphalt underneath some speed tables was about 4 inches thick while fasteners are roughly 7 inches long, leaving an 18‑inch bracket where repeated vehicle impacts broke up the asphalt and worked fasteners loose. Staff said Sunland, the city's asphalt contractor, provided quotes and that repairing the asphalt in the areas the council requested cost about $18,000. Staff said that work has been completed but that the specific invoice amount would be provided later.

Staff also explained operational limits: each speed‑table repair requires about 16 tons of asphalt; the city has a 3.5‑ton asphalt trailer and does not have a compaction roller, so major resurfacing requires the city's asphalt contractor and a roughly three‑hour round trip to Venice to obtain asphalt for larger jobs. No council vote occurred; staff answered technical and cost questions and said they would follow up with exact invoice details.

The discussion clarified which speed tables would be replaced and why the city must rely on its contractor for larger asphalt repairs.