From Ledo to Coston, Lee County’s summer road projects are underway

LEESBURG — Road construction is accelerating across Lee County as county officials move forward with multiple resurfacing projects, approving a new paving contract and revising transportation priorities ahead of what is expected to be an active summer construction season.

Updates provided during recent meetings of the Lee County Board of Commissioners show projects are underway or scheduled to begin on several county roads, while additional transportation improvements funded through the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) program and Transportation Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) are expected to begin shortly after the July Fourth holiday.

One of the first projects underway is resurfacing on Ledo Road.

County Manager Scott Addison previously told commissioners crews would begin work in mid-June using overnight shifts with an estimated completion time of three to four weeks. During Tuesday’s meeting, Addison reported contractors had completed turnout work and were preparing to begin asphalt resurfacing, weather permitting.

Commissioners also awarded the Coston Road paving project to East Coast Asphalt of Douglas for $428,609.35 after receiving five bids.

According to county staff, East Coast Asphalt submitted the lowest responsive bid and received favorable reference checks. Officials said the contractor is expected to begin work within the next several weeks.

Commissioners also approved revisions to the county’s FY 2026 LMIG State Aid Project report after several previously planned roads were resurfaced through other projects.

The revised project adds portions of Grave Springs Road, Pinewood Road and Philema Road, while removing Stapleton Drive, Orchard Hill, Live Oak, Larkspur, Alucha, Fussell, and Sportsman’s Club Road. Officials said those changes keep the overall project cost unchanged while reflecting roads that have already been completed or no longer require striping.

Several heavily traveled roads will receive thermoplastic pavement markings rather than traditional painted striping. County staff said the longer-lasting material is expected to improve durability on high-traffic roadways.

Those roads include Grave Springs Road, Lovers Lane, Oakland Parkway and New York Road.

Commissioners also discussed the next phase of improvements to Old Leslie Road.

County staff reported obtaining contact information for property owners involved in a planned land swap associated with the project. Rather than pave only the county-owned section immediately, commissioners agreed it would make more sense to complete the property exchange before constructing the entire roadway as one project.

The transportation projects coincide with several other capital improvements moving forward across the county, including the courthouse renovation project, which recently attracted nine contractors to a pre-bid meeting. County officials expect to receive bids later this summer before bringing a recommendation back to commissioners.

While officials have not released completion dates for every project, motorists should expect construction activity on several county roads throughout the summer as contractors begin work on multiple projects funded through local and state transportation programs.