City campaign to move up project was a success.
Park Road stretches for five miles. On the south end, it begins at an intersection with East Alexander, and stretches north past I-4 and Sam Allen Road to a dead end between North Park Isle and Park East residential developments. The road is pitted with potholes, cracks, and seams, but sometimes has upgrades of wavy, uneven patches. “Park Road has been heavily traveled by many Plant City residents and all other users for years without repair,” Dodson commented. “The intense use has caused severe wear on the road surface and created a hazard for cars and trucks.”
Since Park Road runs near the center of Plant City, it is natural for people to assume the responsibility for maintaining the road lies with the City of Plant City, and blame Plant City for the poor condition of the road. For years, City Commissioner Bill Dodson has heard complaints from residents about the rough ride. However, the city doesn’t own Park Road. Park Road is divided into ownership jurisdictions. From Baker Street north to Sam Allen Road is a state road, and as such, is the responsibility of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)—except for the ending portion at Sam Allen, which goes back to the county. From Baker Street south, Park Road belongs to the county. “We have asked Hillsborough County to repair and resurface the road on many occasions during the past several years,” Dodson said.
In response to the condition of the road and resident complaints, City Manager Bill McDaniel began a campaign with Hillsborough County to move up the scheduled road repair from 2027 to as soon as possible, and for the county to coordinate with FDOT to repair Park Road in a single project rather than piecemeal.
The City Commission asked McDaniel to provide them with ongoing updates about the status of repaving Park Road. “I have been pursuing that issue with the county for several weeks,” McDaniel said at the June 9 Regular Meeting of the City Commission. “I mentioned previously that the county was working on a strategy to coordinate with FDOT so they can pave the extent of Park Road at the same time. This is, as they say, hot off the press—I got the message today from Deputy County Administrator Greg Horwedel that the county has successfully coordinated their effort to repave their portion of Park Road using the same contractor as FDOT.”
This contractor, Hubbard Construction Company, will begin paving Park Road this year in the fall. The work is scheduled to be completed by fall 2026. These are extensive projects, both because of the condition of Park Road and that it is a multi-lane divided highway. “The last time we saw an effort like this would have been the repaving of Alexander Street about eight years ago,” McDaniel said. “That was a major undertaking, and we will see a similar type of activity with Park Road. The good news is Park Road is now scheduled to be paved. The bad news is, Park Road is scheduled to be paved—and bring with it all the headaches and detours and everything else that goes with such a project.”
“The city commission and the city manager are pleased the county and state have arranged for this project to get underway,” Dodson said. “Plant City has waited a long time to have the repairs and resurfacing on Park Road started. We are very thankful Hillsborough County has stepped up their plans for commencement from 2027 to the fall of 2025.”
It’s a sure bet that after 2027, drivers on Park Road will be thankful they won’t have to pay for front-end alignments nearly so often.
