Public meetings - Dec. 7 & 9 - re. potential extension of Florida Turnpike into Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties
Area residents were lulled into a false sense of security recently, that legislation had been dropped for the M-CORES (Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance) toll roads program, but not all the proposed projects were tabled; the Northern Turnpike Extension is proposed to branch off from the Florida Turnpike (SR 91) in Wildwood (Sumter County), Florida, to travel north by way of an, as yet, undetermined route.
The study area of the potential route, according to the Florida Department of Transpotation (FDOT), "Extends from Florida’s Turnpike’s northerly terminus in Wildwood to a logical and appropriate terminus as determined by FDOT and includes Citrus, Levy, Marion, and Sumter counties." (See above map of study area.)
PUBLIC MEETINGS DECEMBER 7 AND 9, 2021
CHIEFLAND AND LECANTO, RESPECTIVELY
In-person public meetings regarding this proposed project will be held Dec. 7 and 9, 2021, 5:30-7:30 pm.
The FDOT is holding two Public Kickoff Meetings and an online meeting about the proposed project in early Dec.
In-Person Meeting Locations
Tuesday Dec. 7, 5:30-7:30 pm
College of Central Florida, Levy Campus
15390 U.S. Hwy. 19
Chiefland, Florida 32626
Thursday, December 9, 2021, 5:30-7:30 pm
College of Central Florida, Citrus Campus
3800 S. Lecanto Hwy. (CR 491)
Lecanto, Florida 35561
LINK TO ATTEND THE MEETING ONLINE
Register here to atttend the meetings online: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4349167041117907981.
LINK TO PROJECT INFORMATION
Here's a link to the information provided by the FDOT; there's a comment form at the bottom of the page::
https://floridasturnpike.com/turnpike-projects/featured-projects/northern-turnpike-extension/.
FDOT INTRODUCTION
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is conducting an Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) to evaluate the extension of Florida’s Turnpike (State Road 91) “from its northerly terminus in Wildwood to a logical and appropriate terminus as determined by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)” per Senate Bill (SB) 100 (2021), Florida Statutes.
The project is currently in the Planning phase and is following the Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) process.
The project is being screened in the Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) process where input from the Environmental Technical Advisory Team (ETAT) regarding alternative corridors will be collected. ETAT input helps to determine the feasibility of a proposed project and focus the analysis of the ACE and Project Development and Environment (PD&E).
The ACE process is used to identify, evaluate, and eliminate alternative corridors on qualifying projects prior to the PD&E phase. The decisions made in an ACE can be used to refine the purpose and need for a project; determine the project area; define general travel modes or corridors; describe the general environmental setting for a project; identify preliminary environmental impacts and mitigation; and develop and refine a range of alternatives to be considered in detail during the PD&E Study.
The PD&E phase will overlap and begin partway through the ACE process in order to begin some initial PD&E data collection activities. Upon completion of the ACE, the PD&E will still be ongoing, and FDOT will further evaluate the recommended alternative corridor from the ACE.
The proposed approach for completing PD&E activities for the Northern Turnpike Extension project addresses Florida SB 100 and all FDOT requirements and includes overlapping some ACE and PD&E activities. The ACE will complete partway through the PD&E study, and the ACE will be used to eliminate unreasonable alternatives.
PROJECT BACKGROUND VIA FDOT
Senate Bill (SB) 100 (2021), codified in section 339.66(6), Florida Statutes directs FDOT to commence the PD&E Study for the Northern Turnpike Extension. A report summarizing the status of the PD&E must be submitted to the Governor of Florida, President of the Florida Senate, and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives by December 31, 2022.
ENVIRONMENT VIA FDOT
FDOT will continue to work in partnership with local governments, environmental and community organizations, and the public to facilitate environmental mitigation or ecosystem, wildlife habitat, or water quality protection or restoration. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data will be used to refine corridors to avoid and minimize impacts to environmentally sensitive features to the extent possible during the ACE.
INNOVATION AS PER FDOT
FTE is at the forefront of planning for a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced transportation system for the future. FTE continually seeks opportunity to integrate emerging transportation technologies that can help reduce congestion, create mobility choices, minimize environmental impacts, and improve safety. FTE also recognizes that connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) technologies hold unprecedented opportunities for enhancing mobility and increasing safety on our roadways. To see the Connected and Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) Technology Video, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6vyb7IYzSI.
SCHEDULE AS PER FDOT
Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise started the planning phase of the Northern Turnpike Extension project in October 2021. The project is currently in early stages of development with the ETDM screening and Alternative Corridor Evaluation underway. The PD&E Study is scheduled for completion in Spring 2023.
LINK TO FDOT PROJECT FACT SHEET
https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NTE_Fact-Sheet-11.15.21.pdf
LINK TO FDOT PROJECT NEWSLETTER
https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/NTE_Public-Kickoff-Meeting-Newsletter.pdf
CONTACTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Project inquires, comments, or requests to be added to the project mailing list, can be mailed or emailed to:
WILLIAM BURKE, PLA, Project Manager for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (HDR)
William.Burke@dot.state.fl.us
407-264-3142
P.O. Box 613069
Ocoee, FL 34761-3069
Para information en espańol por favor contact (For information in Spanish, please contact):
HENRY PINZON, P.E., Environmental Management Engineer for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise
Henry.Pinzon@dot.state.fl.us
407-264-3802
P.O. Box 613069
Ocoee, FL 34761-3069
Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, Public Information Office using the contact information below:
ADA ASSISTANCE TO ATTEND IN-PERSON MEETINGS
If you need special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or require translation services (free of charge), please contact the people listed above. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 955-8770 (voice).
LINK TO INVESTIGATIVE ARTICLE
Here's a link to an article regarding this project by Craig Pittman, with the Florida Phoenix, in FloridaPolitics.com: https://floridapolitics.com/archives/474716-the-florida-dots-latest-billionaire-boulevard-plan-has-rural-areas-outraged/.