HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 06 08 Other - SCBCC Letter Date: June 8, 2015
This attachment was referenced by Mayor
Charles Lacey towards the end of the June 8,
2015 City Commission Regular Meeting.
The attached is from Mayor Lacey:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SEMINOLE COUNTY
I I nNI1)A, A ARIK VI l MK I
April 17, 2015
Mr.Jim Boxold, Secretary
Florida Department of Transportation
605 Suwannee Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450
Dear Secretary Boxold:
The Seminole County Board of Commissioners (BCC) recently learned of the proposed widening of the
Seminole Expressway/SR 417 from Aloma Avenue to SR 434. On behalf of the BCC, I would like to express
our collective concerns regarding the timing of this project.
As you know, the 1-4 Ultimate Project has already started. The Central Florida Expressway Authority(CFX)
worked closely with the Turnpike Enterprise (TE) and FDOT, District 5 to coordinate a message to the
traveling public to use SR 417 as an alternate to I-0. CFX took further action to reduce the cost of
establishing an E-Pass account and has offered a discount for frequent toll users as an incentive to choose
this alternate. Because SR 417 is a key alternative route for Central Florida commuters, the BCC is
concerned that simultaneous construction of these major transportation projects will cause additional delays
for travelers in the area.
In December of 2014, TE presented their 5 year program to MetroPlan Orlando (MPO), a board that has two
Seminole County commission representatives. This project was not in the TE plan at that time (see
enclosed). Since there does not appear to be an existing traffic capacity issue on this section of SR 417, we
request that you provide information regarding the need for express toll lanes on this portion of the road.
In addition, if TE installs these additional lanes, once it gets to the Orange County line, which is under CFX
jurisdiction, traffic would have to merge back into the current road configuration. The volume of traffic is
greater in the Orange County section of SR 417. CFX's next scheduled improvements in this area
(University Plaza to Aloma) are scheduled to begin design in 2018. Construction is not scheduled in our five
year plan.
For the foregoing reasons, my colleagues and 1 respectfully request that this project in Seminole County be
delayed until after completion of the 1-4 Ultimate Project or eliminated entirely. This will ensure that SR 417
remains a viable alternative for Central Florida commuters during the 1-4 Ultimate Project.
Sincerely,
Brenda Chat
Seminole County Board of Commissioners
Enclosure
C: Governor Rick Scott
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Executive Director&CEO, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise
Board of County Commissioners
1101 EAST FIRST STREET • SANFORD FL 32771-1468 • TELEPHONE (407) 665-7219 • FAX (407) 665-7958
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