Public Comments |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: |
If a new highway is put in near or through the State Forests here in the Panhandle we will be ruining the habitat of other wildlife. We have seen many rare birds and other wildlife in your study area. What are you doing to preserve the habitat of these rare species? |
A: |
A proposed roadway through the State Forest will be located as far south as practical in an effort to preserve these lands. We are currently meeting with State Forestry Officials in our efforts to avoid and minimize the impacts caused by a new roadway corridor. In addition, this project must comply with all applicable Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code (FAC). |
| Q: | I believe more roadways in North Florida will degrade our rivers, estuaries and wetlands, which are already in rough shape because of neglect. What are you doing to protect the Florida environmental habitats? |
| A: | This road must comply with the newly adopted Storm Water Management regulations guiding treatment and water quality standards of storm water collection. A new roadway project will be designed and permitted using these new regulations. |
| Q: | US 98 provides East-West mobility across the coast, where the hurricane evacuation routes run from North to South. How will a new East-West roadway aid in the hurricane evacuation of Franklin County? |
| A: | Residents that live along the Gulf with direct access to US 98 must first travel on this East-West evacuation route prior to gaining access to the North-South routes of SR 65, CR 67, and US 319. A new East-West route just north of the coast that can withstand the storm surge will provide the needed access to the current North-South evacuation routes. The North-South evacuation routes will also be studied to identify possible solutions to minimize the vulnerability to storm surge and flooding. |
| Q: | I am worried about the businesses along the current US 98. Will an alternate route take all of the traffic away from these small town businesses? |
| A: | The current phase of planning will assess the impact, if any, to local businesses. The primary purpose of an alternate East-West roadway is for hurricane evacuation purposes. |
| Q: | Is this new roadway being built to aid the St. Joe Company in developing their land in Franklin County? |
| A: | No, the primary purpose of an alternate East-West roadway is to provide a dependable hurricane evacuation route and allow emergency services access after the storm event. |
| Q: | Is it possible that if a new road is constructed that it could be a toll road? |
| The method of funding has yet to be determined. All funding options, including tolls, will be explored during the Feasibility Study. | |
| Q: | In my area, we already have various problems with bears roaming through our neighborhoods. How much more of a problem will it be if their habitat is cut significantly? |
| A: | The details pertaining to the wildlife within Franklin County will be researched during this Corridor Analysis Study. During the PD&E phase and specifically the Environmental Analysis, our efforts will be to minimize the effects and mitigate the damages caused by the proposed system. All projects the NFTCA constructs must first comply with all applicable Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code (FAC). |
| Q: | If it's determined that an alternate roadway is necessary in Franklin County, who will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of the current US 98? |
| A: | It is most likely that the State will continue to maintain scenic US 98. The Florida Department of Transportation will continue to maintain scenic US 98 unless it is mutually agreed upon by the State and Franklin County to exchange ownership. According to F.S. 334.0415 "Public road jurisdiction and transfer process." (3) Public roads may be transferred between jurisdictions only by mutual agreement of the affected governmental entities. (5) In order to take effect, all transfers of public roads to or from the State Highway System must be by mutual agreement of the affected governmental entities and approved by the secretary of the Department of Transportation. |