FLORIDA: Businesses call for US 19 construction investigation 

FLORIDA: Businesses call for US 19 construction investigation

Clearwater, Florida — Several local businesses are calling for a state investigation into the mismanagement of the US 19 construction project.

“If this project was happening outside of Disney World, there is no way it would last this long. This just hasn’t been fair,” said Ed Lechner who is organizing the effort.  Lechner owns the Perkins Restaurant & Bakery on SR 60 and US 19.

For the past six years there have been detours, construction cones and traffic issues on the stretch of roadway in north Pinellas County.

Construction on the project began in 2009. The $109 million project has been delayed several times and is costing you more than originally told. It’s also costing businesses to lose money.