Ranger North’s $105 Million SR-414 Job Is Group’s Largest
(1st / 2nd Quarter 2007)
Ranger North has begun a $105.6 million contract in Orange County, FL, to construct a 2.7-mile elevated section of SR-414 (John Land Apopka Expressway). This is the largest contract awarded to date to any of the Vecellio Group companies.
The project, for the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, includes an attractive arched-girder bridge design that will be a first in Florida. The bridge will span Hiawassee Road and is one of eight structures on the project.
Recently completed projects at Ranger North include making grade changes and milling and resurfacing a section of US-1 in Brevard County (above) and widening I-95 and improving the SR-40 interchange near Daytona Beach, FL (below).
Work started in March of this year and will continue well into next year. All told, this section of SR-414 will require 2.9 million cu. yds. of excavation, 427,000 sq. ft. of retaining wall (extending up to 60 ft. high in some places), and over 56,000 tons of asphalt. When completed, the six-lane expressway will connect Maitland Boulevard with SR-29, helping relieve the heavy traffic in this growing area.
Ranger North is also making good progress reconstructing two sections of US-27 in Lake County, FL, under contracts valued at more than $46 million. Last spring the division began to reconstruct and widen approximately three miles of US-27 north from US-192. The job includes drainage, traffic signals, curb, gutter and sidewalks. The work will transform a section of four-lane rural highway into a six-lane suburban highway enhancing safety for drivers and pedestrians alike. Work is scheduled for completion next January.
In Clermont, the crew has been hard at work reconstructing US-27 from SR-50 to south Grassy Lake Road. This three-mile section of highway is also being widened, and will receive the same improvements as US-27 in Lake County, along with the removal and reconstruction of two bridges. Work is slated for completion next July. The project teams for both US-27 projects are successfully overcoming common issues with road projects, such as working under traffic and dealing with unforeseen conditions.
Other FDOT work includes a $3.97 million contract to assist with toll plaza improvements on SR- 528 in Orange County. Ranger North has contracted with Southland Construction to mill and pave the roadway as the toll plaza is widened and improved.