The $25.2 million Summerlin Road widening project in Fort Myers, Florida was supposed to have been completed by June 2010, but a faulty ramp, allegations of misconduct and asbestos concerns delayed the project. The Lee County Commissioners Board has finally agreed to a $1.9 million settlement with Posen Construction regarding the construction of the ramp wall, with the county paying half the cost to tear down the initial faulty wall.
The asbestos cleanup issue is still up in the air. Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral that was commonly used in construction throughout the 19th and 20th centuries up until its banning in the 1980’s. It was at that time that it became common knowledge that asbestos can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the thin, protective lining of bodily organs.
Asbestos is considered an environmental and health hazard, especially when construction is involved. Disturbing asbestos-containing materials can lead to the release of toxic fibers that become airborne and are easily inhaled. These fibers become lodged in the lungs, where they cause damage over decades, eventually leading to lung cancer and pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma, which affect the lungs and the abdomen.
The county and Posen have agreed to deal with the asbestos dispute once the project has been completed in April. Commissioner Brian Bigelow hammered county attorney David Owen for leaving commissioners out of the loop on the mediation between the county and Posen, but the commission approved the settlement 4 to 1 with Bigelow dissenting.