News Summary
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) shares updates on the U.S. 319 widening project, revealing significant delays and budget overruns. The project aims to enhance the road from two lanes to four over 2.2 miles, but is currently 20% behind schedule due to funding issues and increased costs. Community involvement is encouraged as local residents can provide feedback on the proposed improvements. The project’s future remains uncertain, but regular updates will be provided to keep the community informed.
Florida Department of Transportation Shares Update on U.S. 319 Widening Project Delays and Budget Overruns
Welcome to Tallahassee, your vibrant capital city, where transportation projects are always buzzing with activity! The latest scoop here involves the U.S. 319 widening project, a significant undertaking by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) aimed at enhancing our roadways and making our commutes smoother. So, let’s break down the details you need to know!
What’s the Plan?
The mission of this project is simple yet impactful: to widen U.S. 319 from two lanes to an impressive four lanes over a stretch of approximately 2.2 miles. This project extends from just south of the Wakulla County line all the way to south of L.L. Wallace Road. Sounds great, right? Well, not quite. While the goal is commendable, the journey has hit a few bumps along the way.
Encouragement for Community Feedback
Local residents are encouraged to get involved! FDOT is reaching out to the community, inviting folks to review the proposed improvements and share their opinions. This manner of engagement can only help to create solutions that resonate with the people who use these roads daily. So, if you have thoughts—don’t hold back!
Road Resurfacing in the Big Bend Region
In addition to the widening project, other scheduled road resurfacing will also be taking place in the captivating Big Bend region. For Gadsden County, you should be aware that construction on U.S. 90 will occur from Monday to Friday, overnight from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., stretching from the Jackson County line to Bates Street.
Over in Leon County, improvements will be made to Meridian Road (from Thomasville Road to Lakeshore Drive) and Mahan Drive (from Capital Circle to just east of Buck Lake Road). Look out for this work happening Sunday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Wakulla County is also getting its share of attention, with plans to widen U.S. 319 between East Ivan Road and S.R. 267, occurring on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just a heads-up: temporary lane closures will be a common sight during these projects, so plan your travels accordingly!
A Glimpse into the Crawfordville Road Widening
Now let’s hone in on the Crawfordville Road widening that was a hot topic during the Leon County Commissioners meeting back on September 14, 2021. This section of road spans about 3.3 miles and is classified as a Rural Principal Arterial Road. With traffic counts soaring around 12,900 vehicles daily, it’s no wonder that the FDOT conducted a detailed Project Development and Environment study from 1998 to 2003 that recommended the widening.
What’s the Status?
The Crawfordville Road widening project has been broken down into two segments: the first one from L.L. Wallace Road to just south of State Road 61 (approximately 1.61 miles) and the other from the Wakulla County line to L.L. Wallace Road (about 1.693 miles). Currently, the project is 60% through the preliminary engineering phase, but there’s a hiccup. Funding for the final design is not yet secured, making the completion timeline a bit unpredictable.
Funding Woes and Delays
You might be wondering how much this all costs. Well, the estimated cost has spiked from $25.58 million to $25.8 million largely due to weather-related delays. Sadly, the project is reportedly 20% behind schedule—a frustrating situation for all involved. While the Crawfordville Road project isn’t part of the current FDOT five-year plan, it is prioritized for resurfacing. Excitingly, bid requests for this project are expected to roll in by summer 2022, so stay tuned!
What’s Next?
Although the timeline for these improvements may feel uncertain due to delays, FDOT is committed to managing costs efficiently and mitigating any impacts on taxpayers. Regular updates on the project’s progress will be provided to the community, ensuring everyone stays in the loop.
Keep your eyes on the roads, Tallahassee! Big changes are coming your way, and together, we can look forward to safer and more efficient travel.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WTXL: FDOT Gives Virtual Update for Widening Project in Leon County
- Wikipedia: Florida Department of Transportation
- WTXL: FDOT Big Bend Road Work Set for Next Week
- Google Search: Florida Department of Transportation
- Tallahassee Reports: Leon County Commissioners Get Update on Crawfordville Road Project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation
- WTXL: Crawfordville Highway Project Behind Schedule and Over Budget
- Google News: Crawfordville Road Project
