The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding two public meetings to discuss four alternative toll road routes which would link from the current Florida Turnpike’s northern terminus at Wildwood at I-75 to a “logical and appropriate terminus as determined by FDOT.” The alternatives would have potential impacts on Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
Please participate in the public meetings:
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December 7, 2021, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., College of Central Florida, 15390 US-19, Chiefland, FL 32626. Register to attend in person or virtually.
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December 9, 2021, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., College of Central Florida, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, FL 34461. Register to attend in person (virtual option not available).
If you are able to attend, please:
- Ask FDOT to discuss how they are determining the need for and financial feasibility of each alternative route
- Raise your environmental, community, cultural and other concerns about any of the routes
- Ask how they will incorporate the recommendations of the former Northern Turnpike M-CORES task force into the planning for the selected corridor, a provision called for in state law
BACKGROUND
Earlier this year, SB 100 eliminated most of the proposed M-CORES toll road projects (a 330-mile swath of proposed toll roads extending from Jefferson to Collier County), but left planning for part of the Northern Turnpike Extension intact. SB 100 calls for FDOT to conduct what is called a PD&E study to evaluate alternatives (which will include a no build option). FDOT is to present a report on the study to the Governor and Legislature by the end of 2022.
FDOT is now laying the groundwork for the PD&E by conducting a corridor analysis and evaluating routes under the Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) process. This 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.
1000 Friends played a major role earlier this year in the elimination of M-CORES and securing the reference of the M-CORES task force reports in SB 100. We are closely following the proposed Northern Turnpike extension and urge you to weigh in with your concerns at the above meetings. We will continue to let you know how you can share your input as this process continues to move forward.
Please plan on participating in either the
December 7 or December 9 meeting on the Northern Turnpike Extension, if at all possible. For background on the proposed Northern Turnpike Corridor and task force recommendations visit
1000 Friends’ website.
With appreciation,
Vivian Young, AICP
Communications Director
