Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/289950
"I know they are," Hines said. A combination of projects that won com- missioner accolades during the presentation involved the reconstruction of River Road at the intersection of U.S. 41 — including the widening of River Road to six lanes — and the resurfacing of South River Road. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you," Robinson told Brownman. Patterson pointed out how badly the resur- facing project had been needed. During an update on the work at Nathan Benderson Park, commissioners gasped when Brownman showed the board a recent aerial view that included the new Mall at University Town Center, which is set to open in October. "That puts it in perspective," Hines said of the mall. By late this month, all the trails in the park will be open to the public, Project Manager Brad Gaubatz confirmed for the board. A sec- ond pedestrian bridge will be completed as well, Brownman noted. All the utilities for the park should be in place by the end of June, Brownman added. Referring to the aerial, Commissioner Joe Barbetta pointed to the wave attenuator, which is wide enough for a vehicle to cross. "It's incredible the way it breaks the waves," he added, making racing conditions "much fairer." Barbetta noted, "It separates us from a lot of venues around the world." "We're one of the leading ones in that technol- ogy," Hines added. % Share stories by clicking the icon in the menubar and choosing to share via e-mail, post to Facebook or Twitter, or many other sharing options. QUICK TIP For the best viewing experience on a computer click the icon in the menubar to zoom to fullscreen mode. QUICK TIP Sarasota News Leader April 4, 2014 Page 58