ORLANDO, Fla. — Road work has started up again on SR-50, months after a contractor walked off the job. WFTV reported in April that a contractor abandoned several area road projects, including a major expansion of SR-50, near Dean Road, and one on SR-434, near I-4 in Longwood.
WFTV reporter Daralene Jones found out the construction delay is costing area business owners.
The bulldozers are running again on SR-50 between Dean Road and the SR-417 after John Carlo Construction ran out of money and walked off the job in April, putting the project on hold. Now, Prince Contracting, based in Orlando, will finish the job, but every business owner on the road told WFTV the damage had already been done.
"We have lost 50 percent of our business," business owner Rosa Catapano said.
Catapano said she's down to selling 15 cars a month from about 50.
Lou Palo's restaurant is now closed on Sundays to save on operating costs.
"I had to cut down on staff," Palo said.
FDOT officials said there is a bit of good news. The underground utility work and right-of-way construction is almost finished. So, once the crews really get in there to work they'll be focused on paving and surfacing the new lanes.
John Carlo Construction also walked away from work on Conway Road and Narcoossee in Orlando.
Prince Contracting took over those, too, but officials said there were no plans to sue because the contractor had insurance in place; it was responsible for finding a new contractor and the new company will only be paid what's left on the contracts.
For the state and the city of Orlando projects, that's about $15 million. The business owners say they deserve some of it.
"What I would like other than an apology? Compensation," Catapano said.
FDOT officials said the project is only delayed a month because of the holdup and they expect it to be finished in the next seven months.
One of the city of Orlando projects is already finished and the other is near completion.
WFTV
