Portion Of MLK Blvd. To Close For Repaving

BROOKSVILLE - The long-awaited project to repave a portion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is about to begin.

The western portion of the road between U.S. 41/Broad Street and Main Street - a little less than a mile - will be closed starting this Sunday, July 7, for the repaving project. The job is expected to take about a month, said Andy Palmer, supervisor of inspectors for the county's public works department.

The area will be closed to through traffic. Detours will be marked.

Clay underneath the roadbed has caused the pavement to sink in places, creating large cracks and holes, Palmer said. Potholes are plentiful, and the yellow center and white edge lines have disappeared.

The city/county line meanders along the boulevard, so the city and county are splitting the nearly $200,000 cost of the project.

Brooksville City Council members have for months expressed concern about the dangerous condition of the road.

DAB Construction of Brooksville is performing the work.