UPCOMING ALTERNATIVES WORKSHOP – June 13, 2024, In-Person and June 20, 2024, Online.

FDOT invites you to an upcoming Alternatives Workshop. The purpose of this workshop is to share the alternatives and analysis completed to date, and to provide the public an opportunity to comment on the official workshop record. Read the Public Involvement section below for all information.

The Florida Department of Transportation is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for proposed improvements to the State Road (SR) 70 corridor in Highlands County. The intent is to provide additional roadway capacity and enhance safety along the SR 70 corridor, a major east-west roadway spanning the state. The project limits extend approximately 7.6 miles from Lonesome Island Road to the southern leg of County Road (CR) 721 in Highlands County.

The purpose of the study is to select a preferred alternative that will be advanced to the design phase. Throughout the process, FDOT will consider a “no-build” option which assumes no improvements to SR 70 other than routine maintenance. If the study results in the selection of a “build” alternative, the project can proceed to the design phase, for preparation of construction plans. You are encouraged to participate in the SR 70 PD&E Study. As the study progresses, we will provide the input we receive from the community to develop and refine alternatives. We invite your questions and comments about this project at any time during the study, by using the Send a Comment button.

UPCOMING ALTERNATIVES WORKSHOP

Here are the ways you can participate in the upcoming workshop. Materials will be the same at both events, so attending every event is not necessary.

Thursday, June 6, 2024, Workshop Materials Posted

Beginning on June 6, 2024, materials will be listed in the Project Documents box below. You will be able to submit comments online if you are unable to attend a live event.

Thursday, June 13, 2024, In-Person Alternatives Workshop
5-7 p.m. Open House
Town of Lake Placid Government Center Community Room
1069 US 27 North
Lake Placid, FL 33852
This will include a looping video (no formal presentation) and the project team will be available for discussion.

Thursday, June 20, 2024, Live Online Alternatives Workshop - (Advanced registration Required)
https://tinyurl.com/SR70VirtualWorkshop.
6-7 p.m.
You will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the workshop from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. (Note: Internet Explorer cannot be used for this event).

Review the materials online prior to the event. Participate in an online presentation and live question & answer session with the project team.

How to submit comments
You may submit comments in the following ways:

• During the live in-person event
• Online through the project website (use the contact box on the right)
• Email the project manager (David.Turley@dot.state.fl.us)
• By mail: FDOT District One, Attn: David C. Turley, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830

You are able to provide written comments about the project at any time, but comments must be submitted by July 5, 2024, to be included in the record for this workshop.  You may also call the project manager (phone number to the right) if you have questions before you submit your comment.

If you need ADA or Translation Services:
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator by phone at (863) 519-2287 or by email at cynthia.sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days before the live event you plan to attend.

The Florida Department of Transportation is required to comply with various non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Anyone wishing to express concern about Title VI should contact Cynthia Sykes at the information above.

Public Notices
This meeting will be advertised according to federal and state statutes in the following places:

• On this project website.
• Email to public officials and interested parties.
• Newsletter to local property owners near the project.
• FDOT’s Public Notices website.

What is a PD&E Study?

A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is a phase of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) project development process. A PD&E Study assists the FDOT in determining the location, conceptual design and social, economic and environmental effects of proposed roadway and other project improvements. The process follows procedures set forth in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and federal and state laws and regulations. During the PD&E Study process, feasible alternatives are developed for improvement projects. These ‘Build’ alternatives are evaluated based on environmental, engineering and socioeconomic conditions, safety needs and public input. The need for additional right-of-way for improvements or stormwater will also be evaluated during the PD&E Study phase. The ‘No-Build’ alternative is evaluated throughout the study process. This ‘No-Build’ alternative leaves the existing transportation infrastructure as it is, with only routine maintenance as required for existing facilities. If the study results in a ‘Build’ alternative being selected, the project may proceed to the next phase, which is the design phase. The basic activities of a PD&E Study include:

Data Collection

The first major work effort is the collection of all available data pertaining to the study corridor including existing and planned infrastructure, existing and future land uses, drainage patterns, and environmental resources.

Alternatives Development and Analysis

Once data collection is completed, the Department develops and evaluates various alignment alternatives, including a ‘No-Build’ alternative. The ‘No-Build’ alternative assumes no improvements. The environmental impacts, social impacts and costs of these alternatives are quantified and summarized in an evaluation matrix.

Public Kickoff Newsletter

A public kickoff newsletter will be mailed, to introduce the project to the public and provide an opportunity to view and comment on the project’s need and objectives.

Alternatives Public Meeting

Combining the public input with the needs of the corridor, several improvement alternatives are developed and evaluated along with the “No-Build” alternative during the PD&E Study. This meeting presents the environmental and social impacts as well as estimated costs of the viable ‘Build’ alternatives as compared to the ‘No-Build’ alternative. The public is provided with an opportunity to view and comment on the alternatives under consideration.

Public Hearing

After all public comments are reviewed and the analysis of the alternatives has been refined, a formal public hearing is held to provide a forum for input from property owners and interested parties on the final recommendations. A final decision is not made until after the public hearing.

Final Acceptance

After the comments from the public hearing have been received, considered and addressed, the project reports will be finalized and submitted to the OEM for Location and Design Concept Acceptance. Once acceptance is granted, the PD&E Study phase of the project will be complete. The phases that follow the PD&E Study are design of the project, acquisition of right-of-way, if necessary, and construction of the improvements.