News

County road projects escape DOT budget axe

By MELISSA BURNSED

BAKER COUNTY, FL - The Florida legislature and Governor Charlie Christ recently completed work on the state’s new austere budget for the upcoming calendar year. Many state programs and projects were trimmed or cut during the legislative process, including $140 million for Florida Department of Transportation projects in the North Florida district.

"Fortunately Baker County escaped the legislative session without cuts to existing or scheduled projects," said James Bennett while briefing county commissioners, during a recent meeting.

James Bennett - Area DOT Transportation Development Engineer and District Planning Manager for District Two

Bennett is the Area Transportation Development Engineer and District Planning Manager for District Two of the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT). His territory covers 18 counties in Northeast Florida.

Among the list of projects scheduled to be funded over the next five years are widening and resurfacing of CR23A (also known as Lowder Rd.) from SR228 to CR23C, along with new sidewalks for the part of Lowder from SR121 to US90. Other projects are new or rebuilt railroad crossings on SR121 and SR228, bridge replacement over the south prong of the St. Mary‘s River on CR229. Odis Yarborough Road will be resurfaced from CR125 to CR23C.

Resurfacing of CR250 from the end of 41 to the boundary of the Osceola National Forest is being funded by the National Forest Service, with DOT overseeing the project.

The county commissioners questioned Bennett on the feasibility of extending the resurfacing project to all the way to CR125, instead of having it end at the forest perimeter.

"Do they think the traffic just magically arrives at or stops at the forestry line? We would like them to consider resurfacing the entire length all at the same time. And while we don’t really want to spend any money on it we would even consider a joint project to save money by doing all the work under one contract," suggested Commissioner Alex Robinson.

In a follow up interview after the meeting, Bennett was able to confirm that the intent of US Forestry was to include the entire length of roadway along CR250.

Mr. Bennett also provided details about the county’s ongoing efforts to seek a variance in the Level of Service designation for the portion of Interstate 10 that runs through Baker County, to allow more traffic capacity. The additional capacity is needed before the county can approve any more large scale developments that would add to the existing traffic.

"We had a meeting with county official last week where information and department expectations were shared. DOT would require certain things in order to agree to a variance on I-10’s level of service," said Bennett. He added, "The department isn’t opposed to the county’s petition for a level of service variance, to lower the standard and establish a higher maximum service volume for the number of vehicle trips per day."

Currently Baker County is classified as a B (rural area); while to the east a D (urban area) extends all the way from Jacksonville to Highway 301. Between 301 and the Baker/Nassau line the area is designated as C (transition).

The classification zones are established by a complex formula that includes census data relating to population and density. Also included is input from local governments and municipalities, as well as state and federal highway administrations. A is the lowest traffic flow classification.

"Nothing changes at the line, but the level of service has been set with the agreement of county officials based on the established criteria. Whether we will allow a variance change to C or D will depend on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations," said Bennett.

Bennett also described a current study by DOT on possible ways to relieve I-10 of some of the anticipated future traffic.

"I am a strong proponent of the possibility of parallel corridors, like the proposed North South Connector Loop in Baker County. If we don’t take steps to preserve the land for the corridor now, we will lose the opportunity in the future," he said.