NO--Beulah Interchange Project was NOT Skipped over for the #2 Project

The Governor's newly announced $7 Billion Legislative Initiative, "Moving Florida Forward," put forth to streamline and fund construction of badly needed, much anticipated infrastructure projects statewide----- includes a massive $162 Million in NEW funding for the regional Transportation Planning Organization's (TPO) #2 Priority and #1 unfunded priority.  NO--the Beulah Interchange Project was NOT skipped over for the area TPO's #2 project 

At first glance the recently announced slate of projects recommended for fast-track funding by the Governor in the upcoming legislative session may have appeared to skip the Beulah Interchange (#1 area project) in favor of the #2 ranked project.  However, upon speaking with transportation planning organization staff--some clarification was provided which puts this huge initiative's impact locally into better context.  This new funding will actually enhance things that are already funded in D1/D5 and portions of D3 in NW Escambia County.  It will be a HUGE win if the legislature moves forward with this initiative from Governor Ron DeSantis.  From the email:

"Beulah interchange is fully funded within the FDOT 10 year Transportation Improvement Program and appears to be on schedule for delivery (meaning right of way and construction commencing, if all goes right, within the next 6 years).  The right-of-way will take a couple years for completion, thus there is very little room to advance this project beyond the current schedule.  SIS priority #2 (I-10 widening and the interchange) is a logical choice because with Beulah being fully funded in the FDOT 10-year Transportation Improvement Program, this project was not.  In fact, our documents projected constructed outwards of 2041 timeframe.  So this Florida Forward proposal does, in fact, advance this project significantly. .. “We are very excited to learn of the “Moving Florida Forward” proposal by Governor DeSantis.  If this proposal is adopted by the legislature, it will bring $162 million new dollars to Northwest Florida that would not have been available, to advance the TPO’s #1 unfunded project nearly 2 decades!  Thanks to Governor DeSantis and Secretary Perdue for introducing this proposal.”

 

Yes, the wins are stacking up for the Escambia BCC, Escambia County, and NW Escambia County in particular.  #Winning.

Will Adding the 4th Lane to Pine Forest Road between 9-Mile and I-10 Move Ahead--Starting Today?

Later this morning at today's Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization meeting one item in particular is standing out.

Beyond discussion of the priorities is an action item to move the prioritization up for the project to add a 4th lane on Pine Forest Road from I-10 the 9-Mile Road.

This has been a traffic pinch point forever, and many have questioned whether or not adding a 4th lane (currently there are two lanes southbound and only one lane northbound on this stretch of Pine Forest Road) would ever happen.

Many, like me, wonder what the rationale ever was for designing this stretch of road this way with only three lanes.

This morning we have the ability to move this project one step closer to reality by bumping the priority of this stretch up as is on the agenda.

We've talked about it, complained about it, and heard complaints about it.

Later this morning, hopefully, we will do something about it!

Sorrento Road Needs to be FIXED! Part I: I Heard You Loud and Clear

At my recent town hall meeting (minute 49:30) in Perdido/Innerarity--I heard the citizens loud and clear:  "FIX the Sorrento Road MESS!"

And I have heard from many constituents since then all saying the same thing:  Sorrento Road is dangerous, dilapidated, and insufficient to handle the traffic it currently has--FIX IT!

Sorrento Road is the name of state road 292 that leads from Blue Angel over into Perdido--becoming Perdido Key Drive at the intersection of Sorrento, Gulf Beach Highway, and Perdido Key Drive.

It is a road that is travelled frequently by locals and visitors alike--and it is a road that has a series of tremendous car collissions, including several fatal ones, over the last decade and a half.

At one point from 2011-2014--there was a real possibility of 4 laning Sorrento Road as the part of a larger project to provide a four lane evacuation route from Perdido Key Drive, through Sorrento Road, to Blue Angel, and ultimately out of Escambia County headed East.  That project did not come to fruition and was all but killed upon the changing of Leadership in Escambia's District 2 in 2014.

Meanwhile, the project to improve and 4 lane Sorrento Road has languished far down the priorities rankings on the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization's (TPO) priorities list.  

So I told the audience at the town hall and others who have contacted me about Sorrento Road that now that it is within District 1 and I can lobby for this to be done as the commissioner representing this area and I understand the pressing nature of getting this road enhanced for safety--I am going to work as hard as I am able to get this bumped up on the priority list at the TPO so that this state road can be improved and the carnage on this roadway can end.

At last week's TPO meeting - we had a robust discussion with the panel as well as with FDOT's Bryant Paulk--culminating in my request for a formal safety audint of this state road by FDOT.  The below email was sent after the meeting by county roads division director Chris Phillips to Mr. Paulk:

"Bryant,

 This email is to follow up with written communication regarding Commissioner Bergosh’s request for a safety audit to be conducted on Sorrento Road (SR292) from Blue Angel to Innerarity Point / Gulf Beach Hwy intersection.  As discussed after the meeting, if you could provide results of the prior safety audit, it would be beneficial for my information to see what was examined for increase safety.  It would also be of benefit to see if the addition of the paved shoulders coming with this current mill and resurface project is a result of that previous safety audit.  I anticipate that since construction is about to commence for the mill and resurface and additional turn lanes at Bauer, the safety audit may take place after that construction is complete.  If there is any chance to look at the corridor sooner than later to potentially work some improvements into the current project, we would welcome that..." 

On WCOA Radio This Morning Talking 9-Mile Road Delay....A Good Discussion

I was a guest this morning on Don Parker's Good Morning Pensacola Radio program.  The topic:  9-Mile Road and the consternation the lack of completion is causing residents out in Beulah.

I appreciated the opportunity to be on the show with Don--and for those who missed it the podcast is here

Concerned Residents Attended Our Public Input Meeting in Beulah

Thank you to the residents of Beulah that came to the Florida Alabama TPO's public meeting in Beulah Wednesday night.  Although the meeting was advertised in multiple places, to include in the Pensacola News Journal--a number of constituents were not aware and asked that I put a synopsis of the meeting out so that those that are interested could learn what was presented at the meeting.

Approximately 30 residents came and were given information about the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization, what this board does, what it's membership currently is, and the reason for this meeting--that being an amendment to the Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

The LRTP must be amended in order to add the Beulah Interchange project, as well as an important transportation project for Santa Rosa County.

Before the full TPO can vote to add these projects to the amended LRTP, public sessions must be held where citizens can offer input--thus the meeting.

The PowerPoint that that accompanied this meeting can be accessed here.

Additional documents can be found here

Additional information about the Florida Alabama TPO can be found here.

And although there are some citizens that remain very wary and apprehensive about the Beulah Interchange--I can honestly say that once this is built, it will cut the traffic in Beulah tremendously--as it will add another interstate 10 onramp that the western half of Beulah will be able to utilize--instead of our current situation where all of Beulah uses exit 5 to access the interstate.  It will be a number of years before we get this built, but this is the reason for the planning that must happen now to get this built.

Big Meeting on the Beulah/I-10 Interchange Project Tomorrow Night

I have been honored to serve as the Chairman of the Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization over the last year.  We have done a lot of planning for our community and our region.

Tomorrow night (Wednesday)--Our Florida/Alabama TPO will host a very important public input at the Beulah Senior Citizen's center beginning at 5:00 PM.  

The topic is the I-10/Beulah Interchange project that is moving forward.  In order to move to the next stage, public input must be sought and the project needs to be placed on the LRTP (Long-Range Transportation Plan).

This project is desperately needed to allow a second on-ramp to I-10 to alleviate the gridlock at exit 5.  Once completed, more than 50% of the current Beulah traffic that uses I-10 at exit 5 will be able to use this new on-ramp--which will  greatly reduce traffic in the Beulah Community.

We welcome input from the community for this very important regional project!

TPO to Approve $1,886,592 in FDOT Traffic Infrastructure Funding for Beulah Today

At today's Florida Alabama Transportation Planning Organization meeting--several very important initiatives will be addressed.

Of great concern to a fast-growing area of District 1 will be the state stepping up to fund two traffic easing projects in Beulah.

The TPO will vote today to approve $836K for Design for the Beulah I-10 Interchange (Beulah Road at I-10)

Additionally, the TPO will vote today to approve $1,050,000 for design of the traffic easing initiative on 9-Mile Road at I-10 (NFCU initiative).

Additionally, of note, county staff will be meeting face to face with state traffic staff to discuss a road-swap with the county, Perdido Key Drive for Beulah Road.  This meeting will take place September 27, 2018.