Lake County Department of Public Works Digital Newsletter
The ‘right way’ to right-of-way acquisition

Achievements come in all shapes and sizes, but for the Lake County Right-of-Way (ROW) Section it includes more than $2 million and nearly 130 acres.

The ROW Section of the Lake County Department of Public Works Engineering Division actively seeks right-of-way donations to help complete road and stormwater projects. In a recently released report, the Section lists about 130 acres assessed (the dollar value of a property assigned by a public tax assessor for the purposes of taxation) at $2 million that were donated during the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

“That is definitely one of the highlights that we were able to get all this property donated,” said Patti Harker, Right-of-Way Manager. “It shows that by taking the time to work with developers and residents, it can save the taxpayers money.”

The right-of-way acquisitions during the past fiscal year completed 13 projects, including the South Clermont Connector, South Lake Trail, North Groveland Connector and Keene Road.

In addition to the ROW Section’s successes with right-of-way donations, staff served 2,650 customers at the right-of-way counter and 5,784 additional customers seeking maps. Staff also produced more than 18,000 maps.


Construction on Lakeshore Drive

The flow of completed stormwater projects continues
In its sixth year, the Lake County Stormwater Section is continuing to amass a list of completed projects.

According to officials from the Department of Public Works Engineering Division, with several completed basin studies, such as Lake Griffin, Lake Apopka, Upper Palatlakaha Chain and Johns Lake, a number of retrofit projects have been identified and completed. These include Brittany Estates exfiltration system, Lazy Oaks exfiltration system, Mid Florida Lakes exfiltration system and the Lake Dora Avenue water quality treatment structure. Several other projects will be forthcoming as they are in various stages of design and permitting.

“The number of completed projects is jumping up because now we have completed basin studies that are identifying projects,” said Mary Hamilton, Stormwater Project Manager. “Now we can keep a number of projects moving forward and continue to complete other basin studies.”

The Stormwater Section is currently working in the Lake Eustis and Silver Lake, Lake Harris and Little Lake Harris as well as the Lake Dora basins. Upon the completion of these three basins, staff will begin work on Lake Yale and the Lower Palatlakaha Chain to finish out the Upper Ocklawaha Basin.

 

Holiday Safety Driving Tips
Happy holidays from the Lake County Department of Public Works. As a reminder, Public Works staff wants to remind drivers to be mindful of posted speed limits for the well-being of all Lake County residents and visitors. Don’t be in a hurry for holiday events and you’ll arrive in a happier state of mind. For a safe holiday season, remember the following driving tips:

  • Determine to be courteous and remain calm, even if provoked by other drivers' behavior.
  • Buckle up with a seat belt. If ticketed, there is a $70.50 fine in Lake County for each person not buckled up.
  • Do not allow distractions such as eating, drinking and passenger or telephone conversations to interfere with the primary task of driving.
  • Designate a driver before attending holiday parties. Florida recorded 15 alcohol-related traffic fatalities during last year’s holiday season. Law enforcement agencies from across Lake County will be mobilizing this holiday season to save lives. Remember when “You Drink and Drive. You Lose.”

Did you know?
The Florida Department of Transportation, District 5, recently announced $5 million in funding to Lake County to improve County Road 466 from the Sumter County line to U.S. Highway 27/441. Plans are to widen the two-lane road to a four-lane divided highway with curbs and gutters, grassy medians and sidewalks.

Let’s hear it
If you have questions or comments regarding County-maintained roadways or other County-owned public infrastructure, call the Lake County Department of Public Works at (352) 253-4900, or log on to CARL (Citizen Action Request Line) to report concerns ranging from road signs to clay roads.

Past Editions of the Public Works Newsletter

  
Lake County Department of Public Works Newsletter for December 2005
http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/departments/public_works/