FDOT advances University interchange project

EAST COUNTY — On Oct. 9, Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh’s birthday wishes came true.

As Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad spoke to a roomful of local representatives and Manatee Chamber of Commerce members about statewide transportation issues, Baugh wriggled with excitement as he shifted his focus to the interchange of University Parkway and Interstate 75.

Not only is the interchange’s design 90% complete, but Gov. Rick Scott that day signed off on a $83 million financing package to build a diverging diamond interchange at that intersection.

Florida Rep. Greg Steube and Sen. Bill Galvano also announced that their respective transportation committees have agreed to insert the project into the state’s five-year work program, allowing construction to start next spring.

“It’s the best birthday present ever for me and for District 5,” Baugh said. “It’s beyond belief.”

Prasad said FDOT will take bids for the project in May, with construction starting in July 2015.
Road completion will be finished by September 2017, before the nearby Nathan Benderson Park hosts the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

Prasad said FDOT plans to put a $5 million incentive in the contract to ensure the project is finished on time.

Steube and Galvano said it was easy to rally support for the project, given the support of local governments and the dedication of Prasad to finding funding alternatives.

“We realize it’s not just a good thing for Manatee and Sarasota counties,” Galvano said. “It’s a great thing for the state of Florida.”

A delegation of representatives from Sarasota and Manatee counties traveled to Tallahassee in March to meet with Prasad about advancing construction of the interchange. Later that month, Sarasota and Manatee County commissioners adopted a joint resolution supporting advancement of the project, and committing to build out the surrounding transportation network.

But when Prasad made his announcement last week, construction of the interchange had not been included in the state’s five-year work program.

“That’s a huge move of the needle from something that wasn’t on the radar,” said Steube, who organized the delegation. “It’s neat to be able to identify a serious need and get everybody to work together and for it to turn out.”

Prasad said he knows East County residents worry about how construction will affect traffic in the area, but he vowed to address concerns as best as possible.

“If you tell us what the problem is, we will find the solution,” Prasad said. “You have our commitment. We want the businesses there to thrive during construction, so when it’s done, it’s off the charts.”

DID YOU KNOW?
FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad said the state’s $10.2 billion transportation budget includes only about 25% federal funding.

“We’re solving our own problems,” he said. “We’re going to determine the destiny of Florida.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].