by David Chapman
Staff Writer
For board members of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, discussion surrounding a second helping of stimulus dollars isn’t quite yet complete.
In February, North Florida TPO board members approved funds for 11 such projects during the first go-round of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. But when projects came in under bid, the money was to be pooled and remain in the organization.
The group approved a second list consisting of five projects during its August meeting, but it was informed Thursday during its November meeting that three of the five wouldn’t be eligible for those funds.
While all three of the projects — Ft. Caroline Road widening from Caroline Vale Road to Merrill Road in Duval County; an on-ramp extension at U.S. 17 and I-295 in Clay County; and mobile data terminal and other equipment for community shuttles at Jacksonville Transportation Authority — are still very good projects, explained Florida Department of Transportation Dist. 2 Planning Manager James Bennett, they fell victim to different aspects within ARRA requirements.
The Ft. Caroline project was bid by the City, the U.S. 17 at I-295 on-ramp faced time constraints to acquire rights-of-way and retention permits from the St. Johns River Water Management District and the mobile data terminal doesn’t create jobs.
“The ARRA is a little unique,” said Jeff Sheffield, North Florida TPO planning director.
Given the bad news, the board then discussed how to fill the gaps with projects that wouldn’t be declined funding. Some board members advocated moving the remaining two projects — sidewalk improvements at Castillo Drive and intersection improvements at SR-207/SR-312, both in St. Johns County — to the top of the list, out of fairness, and filling out the list below. Others wanted the two simply left on the list until other projects could be properly identified and vetted to determine the particular order.
In addition, the current makeup of the board is different from the one that originally approved the list and went through the first round of funding, making it a new process to some.
“The cards that have now been dealt to us are different than the ones you guys were given during the vetting process,” said City Council member Daniel Davis, who was attending his second meeting as a board member.
Following lengthy discussion, Board Chair Doug Conkey wanted members of the different counties to work with their respective authorities and cities with members on the board on their project list then submit them to FDOT to begin the vetting process as soon as possible.
The timing on the matter is vital, said Bennett, with approval on a secondary stimulus project list complete at the December meeting or else the board runs the risk of losing any unused funding to the state.
“That’s why it’s so important right now,” he said.
Bennett said he anticipates between $4 million and $5 million in funds, but wouldn’t know the exact number for several weeks.
The debate over stimulus dollar distribution isn’t confined to just the North Florida TPO, as one guest said before addressing the group on another transportation hot topic.
“We’ve had our struggles, too,” said Harold Barley, executive director of Metroplan Orlando.
The leader of the Central Florida transportation planning organization came to the board to present the latest on SunRail commuter transit project while also asking for assistance.
The planned system is an alternate I-4 corridor that spans four counties, links numerous counties and alleviates traffic ahead of anticipated growth. SunRail’s funding structure is in place (50 percent federal, 25 percent state and 25 percent local dollars) and insurance issues have made progress but final decisions on the service is in the hands of Florida Legislature in a potential December special session.
Thus, one of the reasons Barley asked for assistance in reaching out to representatives on the transportation issue — one that could potentially lay the groundwork for future commuter, which could lead to high-speed rail not just in Orlando, but Northeast Florida as well.
“The stakes were high last year,” said Barley referring to Florida Legislative sessions, “but they’re even bigger this year.”
Other news and notes from Thursday’s North Florida TPO meeting:
• Following a public hearing, board members unanimously approved the Envision 2035 Draft Cost Feasible Plan via a roll call vote. The last step, regarding priorities within funding restraints, in the three-part long range transportation plan was presented to the board during its October meeting.
• The board welcomed City Council member Denise Lee as its newest member. Lee takes over for former Council member Art Graham, who stepped down to run for State Senate. It’s not her first go-round in the position, though, as she was on the board in the 1990s.
• During his update on a Regional Transportation Authority framework study, Scott Clem, Jacksonville Transportation Authority director of strategic planning, said while things were on time for the Feb. 1 deadline on such a regional authority, the toughest issues — governance and funding — remain. In June, Gov. Charlie Crist signed House Bill 1213 that called for JTA to the conduct the study.
The next meeting of the group is Dec. 2.
356-2466