OKEECHOBEE County, Fla. – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announces an opportunity for a public hearing for the SR 710 Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Re-evaluation (Financial Project Number 419344-3) from US 441 to L-63N Interceptor Canal.

 Notice is hereby given that interested persons may request a re-evaluation public hearing for the SR 710 project. The request must be received between September 4, 2024 and September 19, 2024. You may also send in a comment to the project team to be added to the project record.

This project was part of the previous PD&E study for SR 710 from US 441 in Okeechobee County to CR 714 (SW Martin Highway) in Martin County. That study received approval (Location and Design Concept Acceptance) to move to the Design phase on March 16, 2017. The last activity to engage the public was a public hearing on August 30, 2018. In Design, the project was then split into three segments (FPIDs 419344-3, -4 & -5). This project (419344-3) is the most northern piece.

Your input is sought concerning minor design and right-of-way acquisition (purchasing of property for the roadway) changes. Project documents detailing these changes are available for public viewing from September 4, 2024 to September 19, 2024, both on the project webpage (see below) and at FDOT District One Headquarters (801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830).

 Please send all comments or hearing requests to:

MAIL

Phil Menke, PE

FDOT Project Contact

801 N. Broadway Avenue

Bartow, FL 33830

 Or EMAIL

Philip.Menke@dot.state.fl.us

Or the PROJECT WEBPAGE

https://www.swflroads.com/project/419344-3

For additional questions or to schedule a viewing of the documents at FDOT District One in Bartow, please call (863) 519-2803 to speak with Mr. Menke directly.

FDOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations within at least 300 feet of the project.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2287, or email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us between September 4 and September 19, 2024.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022 and executed by FHWA and FDOT.