[Libs-Or] MetroPlan Orlando Board Endorses Wekiva Parkway Financing Plan

[James Dorven]

________________________________
 From: James Dorven <jamesdorven at yahoo.com>
To: "libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us" <libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us> 
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2012 12:15 PM
Subject: MetroPlan Orlando Board Endorses Wekiva Parkway Financing Plan 
 

Regional transportation board supports building the Wekiva Parkway to complete the beltway around Central Florida.


The
 MetroPlan Orlando board endorsed  the Wekiva Parkway financing plan at 
its meeting today, marking the  first approval of the plan.  Next, it 
will be reviewed by the  Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization 
and the Orlando-Orange  County Expressway Authority.

“Wekiva 
Parkway completes the last segment of Central Florida’s beltway  and 
will have an immense impact on our region’s transportation system  for 
the better,” said MetroPlan Orlando Chairman and Seminole County  Commissioner Bob Dallari.  “The financing plan brings a significant  fiscal impact to our region 
with only slight delays to our five-year  plan.  The Wekiva Parkway will fuel the economy and create jobs for  years to come.”

The 
nearly $1.7 billion project builds 25 miles of new toll expressway  
through Orange, Seminole, and Lake counties.  It also constructs several
  miles of non-toll road improvements, including: 1) construction of  
seven miles of 4-lane and 6-lane portions of SR 46, 2) reconstruction of
  the US 441/SR 46 interchange in Mount Dora, and 3) relocation of CR 
46A  to provide improved wildlife connectivity and local road system  
benefits.  If the project receives all necessary approvals, construction
  could begin by fall 2012 and conclude in 2021.

“The Wekiva 
Parkway financing plan is a unique partnership between the  Florida 
Department of Orlando Transportation, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, and  the 
Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority,” said MetroPlan Orlando  Executive Director Harry Barley.  “We appreciate the hard work of our  partners to find a way to fund 
this important regional project.  A  tremendous amount of effort has 
been exerted by many people over the  past decade to bring this project 
to life.”

The MetroPlan Orlando board had an extensive 
discussion of regional  impacts prior to approving the financing plan.  
Though building Wekiva  Parkway will likely result in delaying other 
important projects in the  three-county area, the board ultimately felt 
the benefits to the region  far outweighed the costs.  The board 
recommended that any savings  realized from low bids on Wekiva Parkway 
be invested in the delayed  projects where possible.
About MetroPlan Orlando
MetroPlan Orlando is the metropolitan planning organization for 
Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties – the Orlando Urban Area.  As the 
regional transportation planning organization, MetroPlan Orlando 
provides the forum for local elected officials and Orlando transportation 
experts to work together to improvetransportation for Central Florida residents, businesses and visitors.  For more information, visit www.metroplanorlando.com.
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