Public Hearing for US 98/John Singletary Bridge Project Development and Environment
(PD&E) From west of Edgewood Drive to east of the Fort Meade Recreation Area Entrance
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is holding a public hearing for the US 98/John Singletary Bridge Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study from west of Edgewood Drive to east of the Fort Meade Recreation Area Entrance in Polk County, Florida.
The proposed improvements consist of replacing the existing bridge with a new bridge that meets current FDOT design standards and accommodates pedestrian and bicycle facilities. This public hearing is being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements.
The existing bridge (Bridge No. 160064) has been determined to be a significant historic bridge according to the Section 106 process of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (36 CFR Part 800); however, based on an evaluation of all PD&E Study alternatives, it is not feasible to keep the historic bridge in place. Several mitigation options are being evaluated. The proposed improvements require the replacement of the National Register of Historic Places eligible US 98/John Singletary Bridge. As part of the project development process and in accordance with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and Section 106 of the NHPA, FDOT is seeking comments and input from the public, interested parties, and governmental agencies concerning the effects of the project on the activities, features, and attributes of this resource and the mitigation options under consideration for the proposed impacts. FDOT intends to make a programmatic Section 4(f) impact determination on this resource.
The public hearing will be:
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017
Time: 5 p.m. Open house
6 p.m. Formal presentation and public comment period
Location: Fort Meade Mobile Home Park Activity Center
1046 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Meade, FL 33841
Draft project documents will be available for public review from April 27, 2017 to May 29, 2017 at the following locations: Fort Meade Public Library, 75 East Broadway Street, Fort Meade, FL 33841 and FDOT District One, 801 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830.
The hearing is developed in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Jamie Schley, District One Title VI Coordinator, at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting at (863) 519-2573, or by email at [email protected]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (voice).
If you have questions about the project or scheduled public hearing, please contact the Project Manager, Bill Hartmann, P.E. at (863) 519-2293 or by e-mail to [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing. You can also visit the project website at: www.swflroads.com/us98/johnsingletarybridge.
