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Miami-Dade Judge: Proceedings for $800 Million I-395 Signature Bridge Must Take Place in Miami

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Legal victory brings challenge closer to giving local community the final
say in a bridge design, upholding terms of the FDOT settlement agreement

In a significant victory for the citizens of Miami, a Miami-Dade judge has denied the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) motion to move legal proceedings for the I-395 Signature Bridge project to Tallahassee. This important ruling helps ensure that the voice and vision of the local community will be heard and that the terms of the FDOT settlement will be adhered to.
“The intentional misrepresentations of the truth in this case are staggering, and the FDOT’s continued rejection of the terms – and even existence – of the 2013 negotiated settlement agreement between the City of Miami and the Department cast a cloud of doubt over the Department’s entire process and leadership,” said former Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff. “This legal development is a triumph for the people of Miami who fought to have the design of this signature bridge decided by local citizens – not Tallahassee bureaucrats. We will continue to advocate for local choice to be embraced within this historic bridge for our community.”
In an apparent attempt to distance itself from the terms negotiated during the settlement agreement, FDOT – at multiple times in its motion to dismiss – attempted to question the existence of a settlement agreement by using the term “so-called ‘settlement agreement’” or by referring to it as a “misleading designation.” This is in stark contrast to multiple other communications in which the Department acknowledged both the existence of the agreement and its agreed-upon terms.
For instance, in a May 2017 letter from FDOT District 6 Secretary James Wolfe to Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Secretary Wolfe stated that “the Department actually afforded the advisory committee greater participation in the procurement process than was strictly required under the terms of its agreement with the City.” The letter goes on to state that the “Department’s procurement process fully complied with both the letter and the spirit of its agreement with the City and with applicable state law.”
Sarnoff said FDOT should honor its commitment to allow Miami-Dade residents to decide the design of the signature bridge, which will become an enduring icon of Miami for decades to come. Currently, FDOT is seeking to award the $800 million contract for a design that received “poor” and “fair” marks from the local review committee during the final scoring phase.
“As we move forward with the discovery process, it is our hope that the FDOT will uphold its end of the bargain and embrace the design chosen by the local aesthetic review committee,” Sarnoff said. “That is the satisfactory outcome, and it’s what this community deserves.”
The judge’s order denying FDOT’s motion to dismiss can be found HERE.

Gov. Scott Directs FDOT to Examine Ways to Increase Fuel Capacity During Emergencies

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Governor Rick Scott today directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to work with other state agencies, Florida ports, law enforcement and fuel retailers to begin examining ways to increase fuel capacity during emergencies such as hurricanes. FDOT’s report will be submitted in January 2018 and will include recommendations for fuel distribution and availability to consumers.
Governor Scott said, “Today, I am directing FDOT to begin examining ways to increase fuel capacity so we can be sure families and visitors have the resources they need to safely prepare and evacuate during times of emergencies. Last month, 6.8 million Floridians evacuated in preparation for Hurricane Irma, the largest evacuation in U.S. history, and we are committed to making sure our state remains fully prepared for any potential disaster. Increasing the availability of fuel for evacuations at Florida gas stations is a top priority and I look forward to reviewing FDOT’s findings.”
This directive is in addition to Governor Scott’s October 12th order directing FDOT to begin examining ways to help expedite evacuation routes from the I-75/ Florida Turnpike Interchange near Wildwood to the Florida-Georgia border during times of emergencies.

State Road (S.R.) A1A Public Hearing

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South 22nd Street to South 9th Street permanent repairs


The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public hearing regarding the portion of S.R. A1A from South 22nd Street to South 9th Street. The department is designing permanent repairs as a result of damage caused by Hurricane Matthew and other coastal storm events. The project is funded for construction in summer of 2018, after July 1. No additional right of way will be required. Other information:

  • Estimated cost is $4.99 million
  • The new road will have two lanes (one in each direction) and a median in portions of the section; the intent of the median is to retain storm water runoff
  • Recommended posted speed limit of 30 miles-per-hour
  • The project also proposes installing sand and native plantings on the east side SR A1A between the road and the right of way line.

The hearing is Thursday, November 2, 2017, at the Flagler Beach Methodist Church, 1520 South Daytona Avenue, Flagler Beach, Florida 32136. The purpose of this hearing is to introduce the project and present the design concept to the public. The hearing will begin as an open house at 5:30 p.m. A formal presentation will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a comment period. A court reporter will prepare a verbatim transcript of the proceedings. Persons wishing to submit written statements or other exhibits, in place of or in addition to oral statements, may do so at the hearing or by sending them to Mr. Ty Garner, FDOT Project Manager, [email protected], 386-943-5299, 719 South Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, Florida 32720. All exhibits or statements postmarked on or before November 13, 2017, will become part of the Public Hearing record.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Ty Garner, FDOT Project Manager, by phone at 386-943-5299 or via email at [email protected]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.  Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by email at [email protected].
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the Florida Department of Transportation (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.
Media inquiries may be directed to the FDOT regional communications office at: 386-943-5479; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected].

Upcoming Public Kickoff Meeting for the I-75 and C.R. 514 Interchange

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has scheduled a Public Kickoff Meeting for the I-75 at County Road (C.R.) 514 Interchange from 0.5 Miles West of I-75 to C.R. 525 Extension PD&E Study in Sumter County. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential impacts of a new interchange near the I-75/C.R. 514 (Warm Springs Avenue) overpass to the natural, physical, and human environments.
The purpose of this project is to improve the existing transportation network and support regional travel demand by providing additional access to I-75 at C.R. 514. The existing transportation network facilities in the project and surrounding area will be unable to support future demand associated with the planned Florida Crossroads Industrial Activity Center and residential development expanding from the north and east toward the project area. An additional access to I-75 is expected to provide relief to the surrounding transportation network and meet anticipated growth and future travel demand.
The Public Kickoff Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the City of Coleman Community Center, 1204 N. Church Street, Coleman, FL 33521.  This meeting will be held in an informal, open-house format and is an opportunity to introduce the project and study process, present information regarding existing conditions, and receive initial feedback.
The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for these projects are being, or have been, carried out by the Florida Department of Transportation (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 with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Mary McGhee, Project Manager, by phone at 386-943-5063 or via email at [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.  If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.  Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by email at [email protected].
For media-related questions, please contact the Public Information Office at 386-943-5473 or [email protected].

FDOT to host a Public Meeting for the SR 535 Corridor Planning Study

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a Public Meeting   for the SR 535 Corridor Planning Study. This Public Meeting is the second and final meeting being held for the planning study. The purpose of the meeting is to present the recommendations of the study to be carried forward to the next phase of the transportation planning process – a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study, which is scheduled to begin in late 2019.
The study, which is the first phase in the transportation development process, has evaluated a range of multi-modal (roadway and pedestrian) improvements to address roadway capacity, traffic operations, safety, pedestrian connectivity and other factors on the segment of State Road 535 between US 192 in Osceola County to I-4 in Orange County.
The Public Meeting is being held on: Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Orlando Lake Buena Vista South, Events Center located at 4955 Kyngs Heath Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34746. The meeting will be an open house beginning at 5:30 PM and members of the study team will be available to answer questions and take comments. Attendees are welcomed to attend anytime between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Free parking will be provided for meeting attendees.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by phone at 386-943-5367, or email [email protected].
Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services, free of charge, should contact: Mr. Travis Hills at (407) 540-0555 or by e-mail to [email protected], at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD), or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

Gov. Scott Directs FDOT to Examine Interstate Improvements From I-75/Florida Turnpike Interchange to Florida-Georgia Border

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Governor Rick Scott today directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to begin examining ways to help expedite evacuation routes from the I-75/ Florida Turnpike Interchange near Wildwood to the Florida-Georgia border during times of emergencies such as hurricanes. FDOT’s report will be submitted in January 2018.
Governor Scott said, “In preparation for Hurricane Irma, the state worked closely with local emergency management, transportation and law enforcement partners to successfully oversee the largest evacuation in U.S. history. Anytime a natural disaster threatens our state, we must do all we can to ensure Floridians can evacuate safely. That is why today, I am directing FDOT and their traffic experts to begin a comprehensive evaluation on ways to help expedite evacuation routes on I-75 from Wildwood to the Florida-Georgia border. This roadway is a major evacuation route, and it is crucial that residents and visitors can quickly and safely travel in this area during emergencies. We will continue to work with all our partners to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure our state is fully prepared for all emergencies so we can keep our families and visitors safe.”
 

Truck Parking Availability System Coming to Central Florida

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East-Central Florida sites are chosen for the first permanent installation, as commercial drivers traveling Interstate 4 (I-4) and I-95 will soon have extra help locating available parking spots. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is installing a Truck Parking Availability System (TPAS), which detects available spaces at rest areas and weigh stations and alerts commercial drivers via message boards.
The first seven locations to have this technology permanently installed in Florida are in Brevard, Flagler and Seminole counties in Central Florida. The specific locations are:
Brevard County:

  • I-95 northbound rest area located about 5 miles south of State Road (S.R.) 514 (Exit 173)
  • I-95 southbound rest area located about 4 miles south of S.R. 514 (Exit 173)
  • I-95 northbound rest area located about 2 miles north of Exit S.R. 46 (Exit 223)
  • I-95 southbound rest area located about 3 miles north of S.R. 46 (Exit 223)

Flagler County:

  • I-95 northbound Truck Comfort Station (Weigh-in-Motion station) located about 2 miles north of S.R. 100 (Exit 284)
  • I-95 southbound Truck Comfort Station (Weigh-in-Motion station) located about 3 miles south of Palm Coast Parkway (Exit 289)

Seminole County:

  • I-4  eastbound rest area about 2 miles east of S.R. 434 (Exit 94)

The TPAS will use in-ground sensors in the truck spaces at weigh stations and rest areas, as well as detection devices at the entrances and exits to monitor the number of available truck parking spaces. The system will interface with the state’s SunGuide system, which will allow the information to also be available to drivers through the state’s FL511.com website and mobile apps.
Construction on the $1.8-million project is scheduled to begin mid-October, and be completed by spring 2018. Initial work will involve placement of conduit off of the main roadways, requiring only occasional shoulder closures. The contractor is expected to perform this work at multiple locations simultaneously.
Installation of the in-ground sensors will require about half of the truck parking spaces to be closed at a time. Electronic message boards will be used to alert drivers when spaces are closed, and updates will be available on FDOT’s Central Florida website www.cflroads.com.
The schedule is weather permitting and may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Motorists need to use caution, abide by posted speed limits and stay alert for trucks entering and exiting the roadway, while driving through active construction zones.
Motorists are encouraged to check www.cflroads.com for updates about this and other Central Florida projects.

Feedback Sought for State Road 406/Garden Street Resurfacing Project

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct a public information meeting about the resurfacing project on State Road (S.R.) 406/Garden Street from west of Forrell Avenue to Washington Avenue, in Titusville, Brevard County.
The proposed improvements include the milling and resurfacing of all the travel lanes and auxiliary lanes along SR 406, providing bicycle accommodations in both directions by reducing lane widths through the use of pavement markings, and updating pedestrian ramps and signal features to comply with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
The public information meeting will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, 2017, in the Council Chambers of Titusville City Hall, 555 South Washington Avenue, Titusville, FL 32796. Project information will be on display, and a brief presentation will run periodically throughout the meeting. Project representatives will be available to answer questions.
Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Kelly Hiden, Public Involvement Coordinator by phone at 407-508-0839, or via email at [email protected] at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.  If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.  Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by phone at 386-943-5367, or via email at [email protected].
For media inquiries, please contact the Public Information Office: Jennifer Horton 386-943-5497 / [email protected].

FDOT DISTRICT FIVE WORK PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETINGS

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FDOT DISTRICT FIVE WORK PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING AND MEETINGS

FDOT Hearing Goes Online

DeLand – Beginning October 9, 2017  the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Five will hold a week-long online public hearing for its Tentative Five Year Work Program for Fiscal Years 2018/2019 through 2022/2023, which is used to forecast funds needed for transportation system improvements. The online hearing provides information on projects across nine counties in East-Central Florida.

The annual online public hearing will be held online October 9-13, 2017 at www.D5WPPH.com. The material will be available 24 hours a day, and can be reviewed any time during the online hearing dates.

The online public hearing and public information outreach will also include consideration of proposed projects for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise. The work program outlines transportation improvements for all modes of transportation including:

                           Roadway

Multi-modal transit

                           Bicycle

Pedestrian

                           Freight

Aviation

                           Seaports

Space

                           Enhancement projects, such as trails

The five-year work program also provides clear direction on where to build projects, when to build projects, and how to fund projects. It is FDOT’s mission to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of our environment and community.

Here is the schedule for the online public hearing, and the location for the public information outreach day. FDOT staff will be present at the Florida Department of Transportation District Office and available to answer questions.

ONLINE Public Hearing:

Florida Department of Transportation-District Five, Tentative Five Year Work Program for Fiscal Years 2018/2019 through 2022/2023
Dates: Monday-Friday, Oct. 9-13, 2017   
Location:  www.D5WPPH.com

Public Information Outreach: 
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017  
Time: 4:30-6:30 p.m. 
Location: Florida Department of Transportation District Office- Cypress A & B Conference Rooms

                 719 S. Woodland Blvd.

                 DeLand, FL 32720 

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator by phone at 386-943-5367, or via email at [email protected].

Persons with disabilities who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Todd Davis Consultant Project Manager, by phone at 407-459-4066, or via email at [email protected]at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

Commenting options will be available during the online hearing. Written comments from all interested parties will be accepted by FDOT for a period of ten (10) days after the proceedings, ending October 23, 2017. Comments should be addressed to: Steve Martin, District Secretary 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, Florida 32720. All comments will become part of the public record.

The presentation of the Department’s Tentative Five Year Work Program will be available at: www.D5WPPH.com. Need more information? Contact: Jamie Kersey, Florida Department of Transportation MPO Liaison, 719 S. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, Florida, 32720, 386-943-5338, email: [email protected]

 Media inquiries should be directed to Steve Olson, FDOT Public Information Manager at 386-943-5479 or by email at[email protected].

www.fdot.gov

Traffic shifts slated for U.S. 27 in Clermont

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Lake County – During the week of Sept. 25, northbound and southbound traffic will be moved to the newly built northbound lanes on U.S. 27 (State Road 25) between Boggy Marsh and Lake Louisa roads. The nighttime traffic shifts will occur on two separate days.

Once traffic is completely shifted to the new pavement, the contractor, Ranger Construction Industries, will begin building the new southbound lanes.

The work is part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project to widen U.S. 27 from a four-lane rural street to a six-lane suburban highway from Boggy Marsh Road to 1,000 feet north of Lake Louisa Road.

Please note the work schedule may change due to weather or other unexpected conditions. Project updates will be posted to the FDOT’s Central Florida website, www.cflroads.com.

For media-related questions, please contact the Public Information Office at 386-943-5497 or [email protected].

The FDOT urges all motorists to use caution near any road construction. Please slow down and stay alert when driving through work zones.