News

Posted April 21, 2009

Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority

April 16th Meeting Notes

By APTAWEB 

Maurice Langston, a member of the Authority from Wakulla County, conducted the meeting as the Chairman, Randall A. McElheney (Bay County) and Vice Chairman, Jay A. Odom (Okaloosa County) were not present. Because there was not a quorum, voting did not take place. Mr. Langston opened the meeting with new business. 

Jason Alderman with the FDOT spoke about the SIS Update plan (Strategic Intermodel System) and affirmed with the Authority members that they were aware of the program. He noted that www.sisupdate.org is a good place to get up-to-date information. 

Ray Reisener with HDR, stated that the proposed Master Plan will be presented at the next NWFTCA meeting scheduled May 21, 2009 in Ft. Walton Beach and stated that any changes that Authority members wish to make to the plan be made now. Mr. Langston, speaking for Wakulla County, suggested that meetings be conducted with local officials to brief them on the current plan and to ask for their comment. 

Regarding the Franklin County Update, Mr. Reisener said that projects in Franklin County are federal-aid projects and because of this, the USDOT will only work through the Florida DOT to get funding and not through the Authority itself. Commissioner Cheryl Sanders stated that the priority in Franklin County is for North-South safe evacuation routes. She pointed out that things have changed in Franklin County regarding a major developer and stated that citizens support North-South routes. Commissioner Sanders asked Ray to keep her informed. 

Mr. Langston opened the floor to public comment. Ann Maruszak was the only one from the public to offer comment. She thanked Commissioner Sanders for her comments and said she believed citizens in the Alligator Point communities support North-South evacuation routes. Most of those in attendance were those in transportation who are tracking the progress of the proposed projects.  

Although the meeting was scheduled for two hours, it ended after 30 minutes. The next meeting is May 21, 2009 in Ft. Walton Beach. Go to www.nwftca.com for details.