Sarasota County drainage project faces more delays

The purchasing advertisement for Beach Road drainage improvements yielded one bid, which was returned unopened by Sarasota County to the contractor before the Jan. 23 due date, according to a capital improvement update from County Engineer Jim Harriott.

The failure to attract competitive bidders is another delay for the plan to expand the retention pond abutting Siesta Key public beach to improve stormwater runoff collection and water quality. Environmental permitting and decisions regarding the scope of the Siesta beach improvements previous delayed the project, which was supposed to begin after Easter.

The project is partially funded by a $975,000 grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management district, which will need an extension if the county re-bids the estimated $1.5 million construction portion of the project.

The drainage improvements will prevent the brown runoff that streaks down the southern portion of Siesta public beach by reaching a pipe from the retention pond into the Gulf of Mexico.