LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. –The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin final restoration efforts along State Road 789 (Gulf of Mexico Drive) in Longboat Key following recent hurricane debris recovery operations. This next phase will focus on restoring green roadside areas that were impacted during storm cleanup efforts.

Starting July 7, 2025, FDOT crews will implement a process called hydroseeding—a technique that involves spraying a slurry mixture of grass seed, water, and green tint along the roadside. This will be followed by a protective layer of hay and supplemented with periodic watering to support healthy seed growth.

To inform the public, electronic message boards will be installed at the project’s limits on June 16, alerting residents to the upcoming activities.

This restoration effort is specifically targeted at large bare areas along the right-of-way and will not address smaller, scattered patches of missing grass. FDOT emphasizes the importance of community cooperation in ensuring the success of this project. Residents and private contractors are asked to avoid parking or staging vehicles and equipment on the unpaved right-of-way areas. Continued use of these spaces for parking will compromise the newly seeded areas.

"Restoring the roadside is an important part of Longboat Key’s recovery," said Amy Perez, District Maintenance Engineer from FDOT. "Community cooperation is critical in helping these efforts succeed and in returning our roadway corridors to their original condition."

For real-time traffic updates, visit FL511.com or dial 511.

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The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.