$9.5 million dedicated for area highway projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman John L. Mica (Flagler-R) announced that key highway and trail projects in Flagler County have cleared the first hurdle with passage of a major highway bill today in the House of Representatives.  Projects that received preliminary approval include the I-95/Matanzas Woods Parkway Interchange as well as the I-95/Palm Coast Parkway Interchange.

“Flagler County is the 5th fastest growing county in the United States, and this legislation will allow us to begin construction on both the Matanzas Woods and the Palm Coast Parkway Interchanges ahead of schedule,” Mica stated.  “I am pleased that Congress recognizes the importance of both these transportation and infrastructure projects.”

The federal assistance is included in the “Transportation Efficiency Act – Legacy for Users” legislation, a bill that identifies highway projects that will be eligible for federal funding for the next six years.  Mica is Florida’s senior member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which drafted the legislation, and also serves as Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee.

The transportation bill also determines the distribution of federal gas tax funds for each state.  While Florida gains a net increase in highway funds, Rep. Mica is leading an effort to increase Florida’s overall rate of return from the Highway Trust Fund, which could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenue for highway and mass transit needs.

The Senate has also passed a major highway bill which does not identify specific projects.  In the coming months, differences between the two proposals must be reconciled through a House-Senate Conference Committee.

Funds will be available for up to six years and will be distributed through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the following projects that were approved in the House bill:

I-95/Matanzas Woods Parkway Interchange: $4 million                            This new Interchange will benefit the County and the region by improving traffic circulation at this chokepoint and by providing much needed access to an Emergency Evacuation Route.  This project is considered to be of major importance to Flagler County.           

Rep. Mica worked to include I-95/Matanzas Woods Parkway Interchange on FDOT’s Five-Year Work Schedule, but to date no State funds have been available for the project.  In anticipation of future reimbursement, Flagler County has committed its own funds to begin the project.  Project design and plan preparations are complete, and the new federal funds would permit construction to begin immediately rather than in several years.

I-95/Palm Coast Parkway Interchange:  $3 million                                   Widening of this overpass and road will allow time-saving access for emergency vehicles to cross I-95 at the northern portion of the City of Palm Coast, and will permit shorter routes for school buses to the new Palm Coast High School, located on this route.           

Previously FDOT has only been able to provide $250,000 for preliminary studies.  With the funds provided under TEA-LU, preliminary design and engineering should take one year to perform, and construction can be completed within the following two years.

U.S. 1/S.R. 100 Connector:     $2.5 million                                               This nexus point located in the City of Bunnell has become a regional bottleneck, with problems at the intersection causing major traffic congestion for surrounding roadways.  The Connector will help alleviate traffic and also serves as the keystone for the redevelopment of a regional industrial park facility.           

The new funds will permit the completion of preliminary design and engineering, land acquisition and related stormwater attenuation, and will also permit construction to be moved up to as early as 2005, depending on final passage of TEA-LU.