1109 South Marion Avenue
Lake City, Florida 32025
RON DESANTIS – GOVERNOR
KEVIN J. THIBAULT, P.E. – SECRETARY
For Immediate Release Contact: Tracy Hisler-Pace
January 28, 2022 (386) 758-3714 | Tracy.Hisler-Pace@dot.state.fl.us
FDOT to Host Kick-off Meetings for Project Development and Environment
Study of US 19 in Citrus and Levy Counties
CHIEFLAND, Fla – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Two will host a series of kick-off meetings for an upcoming Project Development and
Environment (PD&E) study. This PD&E study will consider improvements to US 19 in Citrus and Levy counties. The project, conducted in accordance with Section 339.67 of the Florida Statutes, will study ways to achieve and preserve free flow of traffic along US 19 beginning at the terminus of Suncoast Parkway 2, Phase 3 in Citrus County north to Northwest 140th Street in Chiefland, Levy County. The public kick-off meetings are intended to share information about the study and its goals and schedule, and attendees may provide written comments.
“Public input is a very important part of any PD&E project, and US 19 is an important roadway along the Nature Coast,” said FDOT District Two Secretary Greg Evans. “We want to be sure lots of folks know about this project and get involved with it, so we’re going to hold a series of meetings to get started. Over the course of the study, we’re going to keep coming back to provide updates and ask for more feedback from the public.”
A PD&E study is the formal process used by FDOT to develop and compare potential options – called alternatives – to determine a preferred action that meets the project’s needs while minimizing impacts to the social, natural, and physical environments. FDOT District Two is just beginning this PD&E study, which is expected to take about two years to complete. Over the course of the study, FDOT District Two will host public kickoff meetings to introduce and explain the project and to receive written comments; coordinate with local governments to obtain input on the development of alternatives; develop initial alternatives; conduct public meetings/workshops about initial alternatives; refine alternatives based on public feedback; submit alternatives for analysis of natural, physical, cultural, and socioeconomic involvement; and hold a public hearing to present the recommended alternative.
Improve Safety, Enhance Mobility, Inspire Innovation
NFLRoads.com | @MyFDOT_NEFL | Facebook.com/MyFDOTNEFL
The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of the state’s environment and communities. The department is committed to building a transportation system that not only fits the current needs of Florida’s residents and visitors, but also enhances mobility throughout the state to accommodate its consistent and rapid growth. The unique nature of the Sunshine State and its year-round warm climate provides numerous opportunities to achieve the department’s mission through multiple transportation modes including highways/streets, air, rail, sea, spaceports, transit, and the ever-expanding deployment of bicycle & pedestrian facilities.
Florida Department of Transportation
“We are just beginning this PD&E study of US 19 and are looking forward to sharing information about the study and the process with the public,” said Ryan Asmus, PE, Program Manager for FDOT District Two. “FDOT District Two is committed to being a good partner, and we want the local community to be a part of this project by engaging with us over the course of the study. We encourage anyone who is interested to join us for one of the kick-off meetings.”
To promote public participation, FDOT District Two is holding three separate kick-off meetings: one at the northern end of the study area in Chiefland, one at the southern end of the study area in Inglis and one virtual meeting.
- Chiefland (in-person): Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the College of Central Florida – Levy Campus located at 15390 NW Highway 19, Chiefland
- Virtual (online): Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 from 6 – 7 p.m. via GoToWebinar
- Inglis (in-person): Monday, Feb. 21, 2022 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Inglis Community Center located at 137 Highway 40 West, Inglis.
Attendees can register for the meetings at nflroads.com/US19. Pre-registration is required for the virtual meeting and encouraged for attendees of the in-person meetings. Pre-registration for the in-person meetings help facilitate better meeting logistics including staff and parking. The same project information and topics will be discussed at all three meetings. The in-person meetings will be an open house format to allow attendees to drop in at their convenience and to review project information and ask questions in an informal setting. Project displays will be available for review, and project staff will be on-site to answer questions. Virtual attendees using their computers or other smart devices will see and hear project information and will be able to submit questions to project staff via the GoToWebinar platform.
Questions about this project should be directed to Ryan Asmus at 386-961-7443 or by email at ryan.asmus@dot.state.fl.us or Brian Brooker, PE, at 386-961-7441 or brian.brooker@dot.state.fl.us.
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Improve Safety, Enhance Mobility, Inspire Innovation
NFLRoads.com | @MyFDOT_NEFL | Facebook.com/MyFDOTNEFL
The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of the state’s environment and communities. The department is committed to building a transportation system that not only fits the current needs of Florida’s residents and visitors, but also enhances mobility throughout the state to accommodate its consistent and rapid growth. The unique nature of the Sunshine State and its year-round warm climate provides numerous opportunities to achieve the department’s mission through multiple transportation modes including highways/streets, air, rail, sea, spaceports, transit, and the ever-expanding deployment of bicycle & pedestrian facilities.
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Posted February 10, 2022
