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After repeated washouts, four blocks of Easton Drive from Fairmount Avenue to Buckingham Avenue will be repaved within the next year, according to Jamin Smith of the city’s communications department.
The city allocates about $200,000 each year to remove asphalt and restore bricks on streets that have them. However, Easton Drive — which was uncovered in 2017 — needs to be paved over again. The block east of that, from Fairmount to Cambridge, was repaved in March.
“The decision to repave was based on safety to motorists, cost of multiple repairs, and maintenance of the brick street with the known drainage issues,” Smith said.
The problem: Easton Drive has had at least three dangerous washouts in the past few years, including last month. Residents used trash cans to block off the road and alert drivers to gaping holes until city crews could respond.
What we don’t know: The exact date of the additional repaving has not yet been announced. It is pending approval of purchase orders, according to Smith. But it will happen in fiscal year 2026, which began on Oct. 1 and ends on Sept. 30 next year.
June 23, 2023
Several hundred bricks were dislodged on both sides of Easton Drive after a heavy rain on June 23, 2023. | City of Lakeland 
Several hundred bricks were dislodged on both sides of Easton Drive after a heavy rain on June 23, 2023. | City of Lakeland 
Several hundred bricks were dislodged on both sides of Easton Drive after a heavy rain on June 23, 2023. | City of Lakeland
Oct. 11, 2024
Easton Drive’s bricks were washed out by Hurricane Milton. | City of Lakeland 
Easton Drive’s bricks were washed out by Hurricane Milton. | City of Lakeland 
Easton Drive’s bricks were washed out by Hurricane Milton. | City of Lakeland 
Easton Drive’s bricks were washed out by Hurricane Milton. | City of Lakeland
Sept. 17, 2025
Easton Drive residents can’t always see where bricks have washed out, as they did on Sept. 17, 2025. | City of Lakeland 
Easton Drive residents can’t always see where bricks have washed out, as they did on Sept. 17, 2025. | City of Lakeland 
Easton Drive residents can’t always see where bricks have washed out, as they did on Sept. 17, 2025. | City of Lakeland 
Easton Drive residents can’t always see where bricks have washed out, as they did on Sept. 17, 2025. | City of Lakeland 
Easton Drive residents can’t always see where bricks have washed out, as they did on Sept. 17, 2025. | City of Lakeland
How does it happen? Public Works Director Heath Frederick explained after one of the previous washouts that Easton Drive has a drainage problem. The heavy flow of water works its way under the bricks and pushes them out of place.
That is not usually the case with brick roads.
Frederick said in addition to the historic charm, brick roads tend to help with speed control and stormwater.
“They are a lot more porous; the water dissipates faster,” he said.
Other roads the city has restored include Ingraham Avenue, Buckingham Avenue, Park Street, East Belmar Street and Nevada Road.
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