FDOT: Company defaults on Wekiva Pkwy, SR 528 projects

LAKE MARY, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) says it has received official notice that Astaldi Construction Corporation has defaulted on two transportation projects in Central Florida.

The Davie, Florida-based company was responsible for comnpleting a section of the Wekiva Parkway in Seminole County and the widening of a portion of the Beach Line Expressway (State Road 528) from six to eight lanes Orange County.

Astaldi tells FDOT they will be working through four surety companies, so that all sub-contractors on the projects have been and will continue to be paid.

"The FDOT is working with the sureties to make sure the most qualified contractors take over the projects as soon as possible. That process has already started," explained FDOT spokesman Steve Olson. "Both FDOT and the sureties are committed to ensuring there is little to no impact on the projects to get them completed by the respective deadlines."

The section of the Wekiva Parkway, for which Astaldi was responsible, is known as Section 7A.  It includes 3.5 miles of limited access toll road, largely along the existing State Road 46 corridor, from a half mile east of Wekiva Park Drive to Orange Boulevard. The project will include non-tolled, service roads for local travel, slip ramps to enter and exit the Wekiva Parkway, and several bridges over side streets.