FDOT to launch PD&E study of Suncoast Parkway Extension into Levy County; public meetings Feb. 15, 17 and 21
FDOT map of PD&E study area, Suncoast Parkway 3.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
The FDOT is currently conducting a PD&E study for a portion of US 19, from the terminus of the proposed Suncoast Parkway 2, Phase 3 Project in Red Level, Florida (north of Crystal River and south of Inglis), to Northwest 140th Street in Chiefland, Florida, a distance of approximately 40 miles.
The project will be conducted in accordance with 339.67 of the Florida Statutes, to study ways to achieve free flow traffic conditions along US 19 and avoid congestion in areas such as bypasses and overpasses. The study is expected to take two years. The design plan and funding will be conducted during 2023-2024, and the right-of-way and consruction details are to be determined. Accordng to the statute, facilities should be developed no later than December 31, 2035.
During the PD&E study, the FDOT will:
• Host public kick-off meetings to introduce and explain the project and ask for public feedback
• Coordinate with local governments to obtain input on the development of alternatives
• Develop initial alternatives
• Conduct public meetings/workshops about initial alternatives
• Refine alternatives based on public feedback
• Submit alternatives for analysis of natural, physical, cultural, and socioeconomic involvement
• Hold a public hearing for recommended alternatives
PUBLIC KICK-OFF MEETINGS TO EXPLAIN PD&E STUDY
Representatives of FDOT, District 2, will hold three public kick-off meetings to explain the Project Developoment and Environment (PD&E Study. During these meetings, the FDOT will provide an overview of the project, its purpose, and its planned schedule. Project staff members will be there to answer questions and receive feedback from the public. The kick-off meetings will be held on February 15, 17 and 21, 2022. Two meetings will be in-person: Chiefland on Feb. 15, and Inglis on Feb. 21, and one meeting, the virtual (online) meeting, will be held on Feb. 17. Pre-registration is required (mandatory) to attend the virtual meeting, so that attendees can obtain a log-in link. Participants can register for the virtual meeting at any time until the meeting ends. Pre-registration is not required for the in-person meetings, but appreciated, as it can improve meeting logisitics, such as parking and check-in.
IN-PERSON KICK-OFF MEETING - CHIEFLAND:
Tuesday, February 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
College of Central Florida, Levy Campus, 15390 US 19, Chiefland, Florida 32626
REGISTER FOR MEETING HERE (OPTIONAL): https://nflroads.com/MeetingRegistration?p=5439&m=February%2015th%20meeting%20in%20Chiefland
ONLINE (VIRTUAL) KICK-OFF MEETING
Thursday, February 17, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
PRE-REGISTRATION MANDATORY VIA GoToWebinar HERE: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8725157349808539918?source=Project+Website
IN-PERSON KICK-OFF MEETING - INGLIS
Monday, February 21, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Inglis Community Center, 137 Highway 40, Inglis, Florida 34449
REGISTER FOR MEETING HERE (OPTIONAL): https://nflroads.com/MeetingRegistration?p=5439&m=February%2021st%20meeting%20in%20Inglis
HOW TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions about this project, please contact project engineers, Brian Booker or Ryan Asmus:
Brian Brooker, PE, FDOT District 2 via email at Brian.brooker@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at 386-961-7441
Ryan Asmus, PE, FDOT District 2 via email at Ryan.asmus@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at 386-961-7443.
If you would like to learn more about the PD&E process, please click here:
https://www.fdot.gov/environment/pubs/pdeman/pdeman-current
If you would like to receive updates about this project, click here:
https://nflroads.com/InformationRequestForm.aspx?p=5439
SUNCOAST PARKWAY PROJECT HISTORY
The Suncoast Parkway (Florida 589 Tollroad), a 57.73-mile tollroad maintained and operated by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise (FTE), opened in 2001. It begins as the Veterans Expressway at SR 60 in Tampa, Florida, becomes the Suncoast Parkway, and extends north to U.S. Highway 98 near the Sugarmills Woods subdivision, south of Homosassa.
Construction on the Suncoast Parkway 2 Project began in February 2018, to extend the Suncoast Parkway north through Citrus County. Phase 1 of this project extended the tollroad 13 miles from US 98 in Homosassa to SR 44 (W. Gulf to Lake Hwy.) in Lecanto, and is expected to open by March 2022. Construction of the Suncoast Parkway 2 Project, Phase 2 is expected to begin at that time, to extend the tollroad 3 miles, from SR 44 (W. Gulf to Lake Hwy.) in Lecanto to CR 486 (W. Norvell Bryant Hwy.), approximately 1,500 feet east of W. Pine Ridge Blvd. (the entrance to the Pine Ridge subdivision) in Beverly Hills. The Suncoast Parkway 2 Project, Phase 3 will extend the tollroad 10 miles, from CR 486 (W. Norvell Bryant Hwy.) to US 19 in Red Level. The first 6 miles oF Phase 3 is currently in design through 2026, to extend the tollroad 6 miles from CR 486 (W. Norvell Bryant Hwy.) to CR 495 (N. Citrus Ave.) in Crystal River, and the design to extend the roadway the last 4 miles of the 10 miles, from CR 495 (N. Citrus Ave.) in Crystal River to US 19 in Red Level, is funded for 2023.