N. Roosevelt Blvd: 360 Construction Days = 820 Political Days

My name is Eric Geen and I am a former construction claims consultant with over 20 years experience, many of them working for and against FDOT.

On August 6, 2013, I attended the  4 PM, CNRAB meeting with Secretary Prasad, the 5PM Town Hall meeting with Secretary Prasad and the subsequent 6PM Key West Commission meeting. All 3 meetings were in my opinion a total farce when it come to North Roosevelt Blvd. Construction.

Secretary Prasad blew into town like a hurricane and proceeded to perform a dog and pony show consisting of smoke, mirrors and bits of invisible string to the Citizens of Key West, the one exception being single line 2 way traffic to be implemented on September 3, 2013.

Secretary Prasad stated the Project will be completed by July 21, 2014 – Guaranteed – 820 days as per the contract. Does this mean the Secretary is telling the contractor to complete the project in accordance with their contract duration of 820 days – NO BENEFIT to Key West Businesses – NO REDUCTION in time for businesses.

Secretary Prasad was asked if there was a vehicle to provide financial relief for affected businesses? – Prasad said NO emphatically – NO BENEFIT to Key West Businesses.

Secretary Prasad was asked if an economic impact study had been performed prior to commencing the project? – again – Prasad said NO emphatically – NO BENEFIT to Key West Businesses. (it is my understanding that this road project has been in the works for 10 years, on again, off again, and nobody ever thought the 170 N. Roosevelt businesses would suffer economically).

A question that I was not allowed to ask at the Town Hall meeting was: What happened to the FDOT published completion for project work date of January 31, 2014? This article was published in the September 23, 2012 edition of the Key West Citizen.

The reason I have stated completion for project work in the above paragraph, is that the Citizen Published Schedule also shows a 6 month period (Jan 31 to July 21, 2014) for “Project Closeout Procedures”. Project closeout procedures include but may not be limited to; Punch List, Documentation Completion, Fire Marshall Inspection, Commissioning and Testing etc. These Project Closeout Procedures would not affect having ALL 4 LANES OPEN by January 31, 2014.

The reason that I could not ask the question is that myself and a fellow CNRAB member were sand bagged by Representative Raschein, who selectively placed the question cards in the order that she wanted, not in the order that they were completed and submitted. I believe that this sand bagging is totally immoral, unethical and definitely unprofessional.

I sincerely hope that opening the Blvd. to two way traffic will provide relief to all the businesses on N. Roosevelt Blvd, I am not sure that it will, but unless we try we will never know.

In Conclusion; it is my opinion that there is no reason why this project with accurate and concise scheduling and first class management could not have been completed in 365 Days (12 months). How you ask? 820 Days at 4 days a week would be 656 Days; working 5 days a week (what the contract calls for). 2 crews; one crew working West to East (Eisenhower to Kennedy), one crew working East to West (Triangle to Kennedy). 656 Days with 2 crews = 328 Days. Allow 10 per cent for contingencies Add 33 Days = 361 Days = 12 months.

361 Construction Days = 820 Political Days.

2012 to 2014 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Road Construction 2.9 miles = Time frame 820 Days or 27 Months

1909 to 1912 – 7 Mile Bridge Construction = 7 miles = Time Frame 1095 Days or 36 Months

1963 to 1969 – Man on the Moon Construction 233,000 miles there, 233,000 miles back = Time Frame 2,190 Days or 72 months.

It appears that what FDOT Secretary Prasad told the Citizens of Key West is Pretty Sad.

I hope that anybody who wishes to publicize these facts will do so, and may do so with my blessing and using my name.

I also look forward to receiving any comments, criticisms or slaps in the face. No-one can hurt me as much as FDOT has hurt the 170 businesses on N. Roosevelt Blvd.

Thank you

Eric Geen

Key West, FL. 33040