Cris Costello of Sierra Club has sent out an email full of information about the recent and future activity of the proposed Northern Turnpike extension from Wildwood west to Hwy 19 and north. I will sum it up here and say there is no need for this road and it is a politically-motivated project to make a few people rich. And I will add that most do not want it.
Please pay special attention to the bottom part where it talks about what will happen next. I have enlarged and emboldened the subtitle because this is very important. If you cannot attend one of these meetings, please submit comments to the commissioners. I assume those who attend will be able to speak so their comments will go into the record. It was a huge disappointment that the Chiefland and Lecanto meetings gagged attendees and did not allow them to speak.
Our thanks to Cris Costello for this important information, to Suzanne Suor of White Barn Press for the photos and OSFR president Kristin Rubin for the link.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Our coalition’s goal is “No Build” for EVERY alternative route!
It has always been our position to oppose ALL of the toll road routes originally imagined under the M-CORES program. There isn’t one of the four NTE alternatives that spares critical wild/springshed/rural lands and there is zero proof that there is a need for any of the routes.
BUT BEWARE! There are some who support moving the threat of a new toll road to someone else’s backyard. An Audubon FL representative suggested to the Dunnellon City Council on 12/8 that the southernmost proposed routes through Citrus County (associated with HWY 44) would be acceptable. WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS POSITION.
#1 We will not harm one community or spring in the hope of saving another. There are families and businesses, just like those in Levy and Marion counties, that are fighting against the alternative routes that run along HWY 44. We are stronger together!
#2 DON’T BE FOOLED! FDOT cannot, even if it wanted to, turn HWY 44 into a toll road. Any new toll road in the HWY 44 region would be in addition to HWY 44. Remember, FDOT has no firm definition of “co-location” (it could mean within yards or miles) but we do know that existing public (free) roads cannot be replaced by toll roads. This is not a case of widening or “improving” HWY 44, rather it would be a whole new toll road cutting through all new territory.
The turnout at the FDOT Chiefland and Lecanto “kick off” events and at the Dunnellon City Council meeting was AMAZING! The press estimated more than 1000 people showed up to oppose the NTE in Chiefland and more than 300 in Lecanto flashed neongreen “No Build” signs. In Dunnellon, the chamber was packed and overflowing with “No Build” activists. The press covered it all.
News Articles
WCJB TV Gainesville: FDOT holds public kickoff meeting for Turnpike Extension Project
Mainstreet Daily News: Levy County residents oppose turnpike extension
Ocala Star Banner: Meeting about northern Florida Turnpike extension draws hundreds to CF’s Levy campus
Ocala Star-Banner:
Packed house: In Dunnellon, a resounding no for Florida’s proposed northern turnpike extension
WUSF Tampa: A northern extension of the Florida Turnpike is moving ahead, despite public opposition
ECB Publishing: M-CORES is back
By Lazaro Aleman
Riverland News: Florida Turnpike extension meetings are next week
(Suzanne Suor: http:WhiteBarnPress.com)
Check out more photos at the end of this email!
FDOT Videos
Northern Turnpike Extension Virtual Public Kickoff Meeting
YouTube video, Florida Department of Transportation
Related: Northern Turnpike Extension Project Overview Video
What’s next on the agenda? A lot will be happening in the next few weeks:
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Marion County Board of County Commissioners on 12/21: Commissioners will discuss a letter or a “No Build” NTE resolution
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Go here to send a strong “No Build” message: https://www.marionfl.org/our-county/board-of-county-commissioners
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Levy County Board of County Commissioners on 12/21: Commissioners will discuss a “No Build” NTE resolution
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Go here to send a strong “No Build” message: LevyBOCC@LevyCounty.org
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Want to join the fun? Let us know if you need flyers or yard signs to distribute!
Holiday parades may lend themselves to easy handout distribution! Fill out this form and we will be in touch.
Comment submission to FDOT is OPEN! Go here to submit a comment, see the current project process schedule, and more.
Go here for environmental info on the FDOT EDTM webpage.
We are looking for more photos from the week’s events! Please send what you can share!
On behalf of the entire NRTR Steering Committee,
