Resurfacing of 53rd Avenue Set to Begin Construction

Alachua County’s Public Works Department is pleased to announce that another major roadway project under the Transportation Capital Improvement Program is set to begin construction this month.

The 3.8-mile resurfacing of Northeast/Northwest 53rd Avenue will stretch from U.S. 441 to State Road 24 (Waldo Road). The Newberry-based Watson Construction Co. will oversee the $7.6-million project.

This vital collector road is used by more than 13,500 vehicles daily -- 15% of which are heavy trucks -- and has developed deep ruts over time. The resurfacing process involves milling 6 inches of the existing asphalt and replacing it with a new surface.

In addition to resurfacing, safety and traffic flow improvements are planned. A new left-turn lane will be added at Northeast 15th Street, and the existing left-turn lane at the Waldo Road intersection will be extended.

Lane closures will occur primarily at night between 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to minimize disruptions, with detours marked for drivers. Daytime work will focus on the road shoulders, keeping lanes mostly open for traffic. Construction is estimated to be completed by the fall, but is contingent on weather and other factors.