HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 02 12 Letter Re: GreeneWay (SR 417)
02/12/2001
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John C. Litton
City Manager
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POST OFFICE BOX 950700
KE MARY, FLORIDA 32795-0700
CITY OF WINTER SPRING~
OFFICE OF THE CITY Cb.~~~
February 9, 2001
Phone 407-324-3019
Fax 407-324-3098
E-Mail jlinon@laksmaryflcom
Congressman John L. Mica
Florida House of Representatives
2445 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Mica:
In the last six months, we have become aware of the final design plans for connecting the new
segment of the GreeneWay (SR 417) to Interstate 4. Unfortunately, the current design of the
GreeneWay ramp to westbound Interstate 4 does not provide a connection to County Road 46-A. We
are extremely concerned that while current plans meet all state and federal requirements, it is going
to create havoc in the local community by forcing traffic that would be better served exiting on the
west side of Interstate 4 onto Rinehart Road.
As a point of information. the immediate area surrounding County Road 46-A and the
Interstate 4 interchange will ultimately have mare than 6,QOO,OOO square feet of office space, as well
as thousands of housing units. As designed, the motoring public wanting to get to these
developments will be forced to exit the GreeneWay (SR 417) at RInehart Road, then travel either
northeast to SR 46. or southeast to County Road 46-A, in order: to gain access to the west side of
Interstate 4. The same problems, except in reverse, would exisVfor those wanting to get from the
Heathrow/HIBC/Colonial Properties area to the GreeneWay (SR 417). Those scenarios, coupled with
traffic that truly needs to exit on Rinehart Road to do business on the east side of Interstate 4, would
be a nightmare. If not remedied, it is our belief that what should be perceived as a great
transportation improvement will become nothing more than major gridlock, especially during rush-
hour periods.
From the historical perspective, I believe that the original design for this segment of the
GreeneWay (SR 417) was a system-to-system interchange with access to County Road 46-A.
However, funding became a problem and the link was cut sometime prior to 1995. Granted, some of
the development which has come to the I~ Corridor may not have been envisioned at that time, but
the reality is that much of it already exists and the rest is planned over the next five to ten years. To
construct the link between two major highway systems and not include linkage to the most intense
local user, and then leave the subsequent traffic flow problems with local authorities, does not seem
practical. Seminole County, Sanford, and Lake Mary will have to deal with the traffic congestion that
we believe the current plan creates.
In summary. we believe very strongly that this is an ideal time for government at all levels to be
proactive. and at least have a plan to deal with this problem on the front end, even if the improvement
must wait until after current construction is completed. We know because both state and federal
. roadways are involved it will require their approvals and participation. However, to not address these
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02/12/2001
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Congressman John L. Mica
February 9, 2001
Page Two
anticipated negative impacts at this time is probably a good reason why people lack confidence in
government. We have discussed this issue with our Legislative Delegation and 1he Expressway
Authority, and also received several calls of concern from the Impacted business community. I think
all agree that this problem deserves serious consideration,
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
cc: Mayor and City Commission
Representative David Mealor, District 34
Larry Dale, Mayor - City of Sanford
Dick Van Der Weide - Chairman, Seminole County Commissionl
Seminole County Expressway Authority
Tony Vanderworp, City Manager - City of Sanford
Kevin Grace, County Manager
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