Longboat Key plans $1.8 million Emerald Harbor project

The town of Longboat Key has merged a roadway project with a utilities upgrade at the north island neighborhood.

Emerald Harbor roadways are sinking. And the sewer system below the Longboat Key subdivision is out-of-date and inefficient.

But the town has earmarked about $1.8 million for a major utility and roadway project that may start by the end of the year, according to Public Works Director Juan Florensa. The project is part of a $93 million capital budget staff presented to commissioners last month.

The problem stems from when the developers dredged the waterways for material to form the neighborhood, said Town Manager Dave Bullock.

“That might mean muck, roots, perhaps mangroves and trees — whatever happened to be in there,” Bullock said. “And over time a lot of that stuff deteriorates, and the land begins to sink.”