|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Neighbors lament Crystal Island Bridge construction
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, April 12, 2006
 |
![[Image]](/content_images/041206_bhb-01.jpg) |
| Photo by NANCY AYERS |
| Rob Earls’ yard and dock are immediately adjacent to the Crystal Island Bridge project. The bridge, which is under construction, crosses a canal in Madeira Beach that brings residents to the finger island. |
|
|
MADEIRA BEACH – Rob Earls smiles with admiration as he looks out from his sun deck to the soon-to-be-completed Crystal Island Bridge across the water.
“This (bridge) went from being an eyesore to a nice piece of architecture,” says Earls, an engineer.
The bridge is getting high marks from Crystal Island residents for its aesthetically pleasing design and quality workmanship.
Its construction, however, has taken a heavy toll on neighbors of the project, who have had to contend with a myriad of difficulties as the bridge work has progressed.
“It was hell,” Earls said, describing the travails he and his wife Lisa have gone through during the one-year construction phase.
Early on, in a highly publicized incident, a crane was driven off the bridge into the water. The resulting bridge closure isolated island residents for a time.
For Earls and his neighbor Kelly Mettling, whose homes border the bridge span, the crane incident was a portend to a series of mishaps that have, in Lisa Earls’ words, “cost us our lifestyle for the past year.”
Rob Earls described how a construction crew cut open a 10-inch pipe that they thought was “dead” based upon advice from Pinellas County. The pipe turned out to be Crystal Island’s water main.
“Water shot 30 feet in the air and had nowhere to go but my yard,” Earls said. The overflow filled in and split Earls’ seawall, which had to be replaced.
County authorities agreed to repair the seawall, but Earls had to find and contact repair people to get estimates before the work could begin. That task was both time-consuming and frustrating, Earls said.
“Nobody wanted to touch it. It took me six months to get the job done,” Earls said.
The pipe incident happened in June. Repairs to the collapsed seawall were completed on Dec. 27, Earls’ birthday. Earls told of other bridge-related incidents which have impacted his property.
Winds blew hydraulic fluid from a pile driver onto his boat and across his lawn, destroying much of his landscaping. Cracks have appeared in the walls of Earls’ home caused, he believes, from the incessant pounding of the construction equipment. Earls said he is concerned too that the family’s swimming pool may crack.
Kelly Mettling, Earls neighbor across the canal, has had his own set of problems resulting from the bridge work. Last summer, a barge owned by the construction company rammed and heavily damaged his sailboat. The boat has since been repaired and is back in service.
Mettling also claims that the grade of the bridge has been changed from the original plans, causing runoff that saturates his yard.
“They changed the grade of the road and now all of the water drains onto my property,” he said. The result has been damaged landscaping and huge holes behind Mettling’s seawall, he said.
Mettling maintains that his land needs a drain pipe like the city is replacing on Earls’ property. He said that Madeira Public Works official Michael Maxemow disagreed.
As the bridge project nears completion (finish date is set for May), Earls sees an end at last to his troubles. Earls said he is working with bridge contractor Tom Quinn to resolve damage claims.
“He has been very cooperative throughout,” Earls said of Quinn.
City officials have asked Earls to submit a list of damages, he said.
Nonetheless, the Earls feel that the city needs to do a better job of communicating with residents. Lisa Earls said that a lot of the problems could have been avoided if the city had been more involved with the citizens on the project.
Kelly Mettling had few kind words to say about anyone connected with the bridge construction. Kelly lamented what he said was a lack of concern for his plight by all parties.
“Nobody even says ‘I’m sorry.’ No type of courtesy letters from anyone,” Mettling said.
Looking over the remnants of his lawn, Mettling said, “I usually plant flowers in the spring. Now my yard’s a mess.”
Lisa Earls nodded. She recently replanted hers for the third time.
|
Article published on Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
