Joslyn Seefeldt lives on about 28 acres of land in . Joslyn Seefeldt lives on about 28 acres of land in Morriston, a rural exurb in Levy County. At a kickoff meeting in Chiefland on Dec. 7, the projects consultant program manager, Jeff Arms, said there are no official cost estimates or specific routes for the extension. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | Widen Sawgrass from University Dr. to SR 7. All available parking spaces were filled and some vehicles were turned away because parking had reached capacity. Back in 2016, FDOT had planned a costal connector highway through Marion, Levy and Alachua counties. County Commissioner Michelle Stone wrote in an email that Marion County understands the potential impacts to the community, but the construction is ultimately under the control of the states transportation department. The latest news and how to stay informed. The state is putting the brakes on the Northern Turnpike Extension, concluding that it makes better sense to make improvements to Interstate 75 than build a new corridor through rural communities. Prior turnpike extension plans had the . On a beautiful Tuesdayevening at the College of Central Florida's Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus on U.S. 19, five miles north of Chiefland, mostly Levy County residents came out by the carload, many with signs declaring they don't want the new road. From what I see, theyre trying to move the Black neighborhood out, Lawson said. TALLAHASSEE - The state Department of Transportation has paused plans to extend Florida's Turnpike northwest from Wildwood after four potential routes . It then heads north and connects with Southwest 140th Avenue. The third route, also known as the South Extension Turnpike, connects the East-West Connector to I-35 near Purcell. Steve Newborn is a WUSF reporter and producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay area. By then, commissioners agreed, county staff will have attended the public meetings and be well prepared to report on how the proposed routes might affect Marion. Dec. 8, 2022. All rights reserved. Email: [emailprotected] You will then receive an email that helps you regain access. Local officials fended off that plan. ETAT input helped to determine the feasibility of a proposed project and focus the analysis of the ACE. Massullo, a Lecanto Republican, said FDOT will continue to study ways to move travelers about. On Tuesday, and again Thursday night at CF's Citrus County campus in Lecanto, residents filled out, or will be able tofill out, comment cards for researchers to read. The state, however, is not closing the door entirely on a turnpike extension. Map of Florida's Turnpike, including exits, toll locations and available plazas and rest areas. Environmental Management Engineer for Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. In 2021, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 100 to repeal the 2019 M-CORES toll road mandate that ordered the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to begin construction on three new turnpikes in 2023. Sistrunk is Fort Lauderdales oldest Black community, one comprised of working families, mom-and-pop small businesses, historic churches, and landmarks. The proposed Northern Turnpike Extension project would extend the turnpike's northern terminus from Wildwood/Interstate 75 west to U.S. 19. For four years, shes called Morriston home. He often opts for toll roads on his trips from Dunnellon to the Canadian border. "Why build another one when theyhaven't maintained I-75?". CHIEFLAND If the Florida Department of Transportation and the state legislature were dentists, there is no doubt they have hit a nerve during theirresearch mission toextendthe Florida Turnpike to the northwest, from Wildwood to U.S. 19. Much of the feedback received from local communities during the ACE study recommended reviewing and prioritizing solutions for the I-75 corridor as part of the overall process. FLORIDA'S LARGEST HIGHWAY EXPANSION IN OVER 60 YEARS. https://t.co/zdsGkMxg43. The focus now, he said, must beimproving I-75. On Tuesday, about 1,000 people attended a public meeting to look at large displays and PowerPoint videosthat detailed why the northern turnpike extension was needed and more details about where the roadmay transverseif approved by lawmakers. The project will include interchanges at I-44 and Airport Road, according to the commission's agenda. 99 in the PDF below. Longer travel times, she said, are generally accepted by the residents of Levy County. to University Dr. Commissioners in Levy County and councilmembers in Dunnellon have passed resolutions against the extension. Im not with it.. P.O. Government leaders in the affected cities and counties are taking different bureaucratic approaches. Earlier this year, senate bill 100 eliminated most of the M-CORES toll road projects from Jefferson to Collier County but it left planning for the Northern Turnpike Extension intact.. Seefeldt said the resistance comes from a will to preserve the rural land thats growing scarce in the state. He also noted that some elected bodies in Marion, Citrus, Sumter and Levy counties the four counties of the study area had expressed opposition, as had the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Florida Department of Transportation is planning a turnpike extension with one of the proposed routes coming close to this resource. St. Petersburg, Florida 33704. The Florida Department of Transportation has decided to broaden the input process as it considers a possible northern extension of Florida's Turnpike.. At least two of the potential routes show it cutting through Levy County. Michael McGrath, an organizer and representative for No Roads to Ruin and Sierra Club Florida, said the extension presents significant threats to Floridas wildlife and natural resources. Dan and Linda Evans stood in the large lobby of CF's Levy campus building and shared how one of the routes, dubbed Alternate Corridor North A, would come close to their Levy home in Steeplechase Farms subdivision in Morriston. Craig Pittman. This is where I was supposed to be living my entire life, Seefeldt said. By Heather Bushman. Project inquires can be mailed or emailed to: If you choose to provide feedback on this site or in an email, such information is a public record under Floridas Government in the Sunshine Laws and available for public inspection upon demand. Much of the feedback received from local communities during the study recommended reviewing and prioritizing solutions for the I-75 corridor as part of the overall process. P.O. May 24, 2022. He handed out a statement from the agency'ssteering committee. Opponents say there is little need for the toll road and it would destroy some of the last remaining rural areas north of Tampa Bay. The region and local community should be assured that as we continue to refine and develop viable corridor concepts for this area, it will include extensive engagement with community leaders and the community as a whole.. The $140 million already allocated for the project will be spent on other projects and expenses instead. Turnpike Extension Widening, I-75 to Florida's Turnpike Turnpike Resurfacing, . If you choose to provide feedback on this site or in an email, such information is a public record under Florida's Government in the Sunshine Laws and available for public inspection upon . Residents have been pushing for an extension of the Florida Turnpikewhich is needed to lessen traffic on Interstate 75, that would not come through Royal citing, the adverse impact on the historic African-American community.. Another study deciding between the four alternative route proposals is expected to conclude by the spring of next year. "A lot of our neighbors say it will got through their property and they would have to move.". What really moved the FDOT was votes from the various County Commissions, Rep. https://t.co/hox3jID8Vc. 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The Florida Department of Transportation is . The state, though, has long eyed a 49-mile extension of the turnpike from I-75 in Wildwood to Lebanon Station, near the intersection of State Road 121 and U.S. 19 in Levy County. Widen Turnpike from Campbell Dr. to Tallahassee Rd. an extension of Florida's Turnpike to meet the Suncoast and a new route between Polk and Collier counties, long . "It (the proposed extension) doesn't have to come through Marion County," Bryant said. A northern extension of the Florida Turnpike is moving ahead, despite public opposition. Construction projects are those currently being built throughout the state. Editor's note: This story was revised at 3 p.m. Thursday to include details from the state Department of Transportation's press release. Extending the turnpike and connecting it with an expanded U.S. 19 or an extended Suncoast Parkway would create a major new transportation corridor right through North Florida's springs heartland . Though the route may be opposed by many, the need is great for easing traffic backups on I-75. Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design on the second priority East-West . Florida Turnpike: Three of four proposed routes pass through SW Marion County, SR 200: SR 200 corridor to get another traffic light, this time at Southwest 80th Street, The roads most traveled: The Marion County roads with the highest traffic counts. Seefeldt, a 61-year-old retired farrier, or a horseshoe craftsman, spent two years searching for the perfect place to relocate from her home in Milton, Wisconsin. The PD&E starts in early to mid-2021. SR 9/I-95 at SR 842/Broward Boulevard Interchange. A capacity crowd of Levy County residents vented their rage Tuesday during a Levy County Commission meeting by shouting at Florida Department of Transportation officials discussing a proposed toll road through the county. Florida's Turnpike Enterprise hada large staff on hand tocordially listento residents and showthem charts and graphson easels. UF Health in Marion: UF Health purchases property in south Marion County, Building rush: Marion poised to gain 5 million more square feet of warehouse space, Ocala/Marion County growth: SW infill development approved; duplexes near Belleview denied. We shouldnt be the solution to the turnpike when we do not even benefit from the turnpike or benefit from 75, she said. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! Several groups continue to rally opposition to the toll roads, saying it would destroy some of the area's last remaining rural lands and threaten Rainbow Springs, one of the state's largest springs. It appears state officials have heeded the anti-extension message for now. 2023 www.ocala.com. OTA placed all work on the ACCESS program on pause. Ocoee, Florida 34761 Dunnellon Mayor Bill White did not get a DOT phone call or text Wednesday. A no-build vote by local communities does not completely remove the possibility of continuing the project. Sawgrass Expressway. Wordfence is a security plugin installed on over 4 million WordPress sites. "This is the beginning of the early stages of this process," Stake said on Tuesday. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2023. BOCC rejects turnpike routes through Citrus. FDOT will continue to coordinate with communities to avoid resources that have substantial cultural, historic, or other significance. Earlier Tuesday, the Marion County Commission considered sending the FDOT a letter about the proposedturnpikeextension, but instead decided to wait until its next meeting to address the issue. Green Ops Group, based in Columbus, Ohio, is already renovating two other spaces in Ocala, according to city permit records. Work commenced on a two phase $507 million project in Summer 1998. However, he said the development did not surprise him. She longed for bountiful land to build the farm of her and her husbands dreams. Turnpike Widening, Boynton Beach Blvd. All three counties have indicated in their Future Land Use Maps (FLUM) support rural land uses. Jeff Arms is the program manager for the Turnpike Authority. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. The news, first reported Wednesday evening on the Just Wright Citrusblog, is a major victory for environmental groups and local governments in Citrus, Levy, Marion and Sumter counties that fought against four proposed routes connecting the turnpike at Wildwood to the Suncoast Parkway. The report notes that most of the people there were advocating for a no-build option which would be against all four potential routes of the development. SB 100 Due to major concerns raised by 1000 Friends and others, in 2021 the Florida Legislature passed SB 100, which basically terminated the overall M-CORES project. The extension from the East-West Connector south to I-35 near Purcell expands the mobility of the southeast Oklahoma City metro by providing greater access to local communities. CHIEFLAND - If the Florida Department of Transportation and the state legislature were dentists, there is no doubt they have hit a nerve during their research mission to extend the Florida . https://t.co/wz5Ejjcbwf. However, it is considered by the Florida Department of Transportation. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is an executive agency, which means it reports directly to the Governor. One Facebook group, the Suncoast & Northern Turnpike Connector, has almost 10,000 members, and the No Roads to Ruin coalition has received statewide attention. Bryant said the commission has been "inundated with emails" about thematter, and noted that while commissioners serve countywide, they also represent districts and her district, which is No. Geo resource failed to load. To view an interactive map of all Floridas Turnpike System projects currently underway, please click the button below. Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design on the second priority East-West Connector projects: Contracts executed for the following firms to begin engineering design: A series of four public meetings were hosted by OTA to discuss the new alignments in the ACCESS program. News of the impending meeting even led to an impromptu discussion earlier in the day at the Marion County Commission meeting. Projects in the PD&E Phase are being evaluated for potential physical, economical, or environmental impacts. There [are] vital agricultural economies that are present there that would be impacted by these toll roads.. to US 192. 20, 2022. "The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed the Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) Study for the Northern Turnpike Extension without recommending a specific corridor," the . PublishedDecember 8, 2021 at 5:00 AM EST. There has to be another alternative, Levi Solomon said. Widen Sawgrass from Oakland Park Blvd to Atlantic Blvd, Turnpike Resurfacing, I-595 to Pompano Beach Service Plaza, Turnpike Extension Widening, I-75 to Florida's Turnpike, Turnpike Resurfacing, MP 47 to MP 48 & Extension Ramps, Sawgrass and Atlantic Blvd Interchange Improvements Project, Golden Glades Toll Plaza to the Broward County. The FDOT slated the two meetings, the one Tuesdayand the one in Lecanto on Thursday,to unveilthe four proposed routes. Widen Turnpike from Southern Blvd to Okeechobee Blvd, Widen Turnpike from West Palm Beach SP to Southern Blvd, Widen Turnpike from North of Glades Rd to the L-38 Canal, Widen Turnpike from Glades Rd to Atlantic Ave, Widen Turnpike from Okeechobee Blvd to SR 710, Add Lanes to Turnpike from Palm Beach County to Glades Rd, Widen Turnpike from Atlantic Ave to Boynton Beach Blvd, Parking Improvements at West Palm Beach SP. Board of County Commission Regular Meeting November 15, 2021; Posted November 17, 2021 Levi, 67, and Willard, 57, live near each other on . The letter indicates that planning for the Northern Turnpike Extension is getting underway. Now that M-CORES has been repealed, theyre targeting the Northern Extension. Here's a statement from the No Roads To Ruin Coalition, which was formed to oppose the toll roads: Another public information session is scheduled for this summer. Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, Anne Geggis, Kelly Hayes, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Gray Rohrer, Jesse Scheckner, Christine Sexton, Andrew Wilson, Wes Wolfe, and Mike Wright. Though some residents fear negative impacts, others look forward to the potential improvements offered by the transportation construction. Still, he is willing to have the discussion just not so soon. Angela Starke, director of communications forFlorida's Turnpike Enterprise, said Tuesdaythat the agency is conducting research, as requested by the state legislature, which passed Senate Bill 100. Tags: are there exits on . FDOTs initial studies showed four potential routes. See this map in color with this story at www.RiverlandNews.com.The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce has joined forces with the Ocala and Dunnellon chambers in asking the state to work with them on a northern turnpike extension route that addresses common environmental and other concerns. 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). But what this "Northern Turnpike Extension Public Kickoff Meeting," as it was billedby Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, revealed is thatthe issue is stilldivisive. Interchange Improvements at Kissimmee Park Rd. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed the Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) Study for the Northern Turnpike Extension without recommending a specific corridor and has submitted a Project Development Status Report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives in compliance with Florida Law. In the near term, to help address regional and statewide transportation needs, the Department is dedicating resources to prioritize improvements on the Interstate 75 corridor. Morriston, a census-designated place in Levy County, offered her and 120 others that quiet oasis. 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