Alachua County reports progress on road projects
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County is paving the way toward a stronger, safer future. In May 2023, the Alachua County Commission approved the historic 10-year, $250 million Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP), focused on improving road conditions, extending the life of county infrastructure, increasing traffic safety, and improving mobility for our residents. The program represents the largest sustained investment in transportation infrastructure in Alachua County’s history.
To date, the County has completed 33 projects costing $24.1 million, has begun construction on 17 projects valued at $35.8 million, and has 34 projects valued at $61 million in the planning and procurement stage.
The County’s TCIP webpage gives residents an accessible way to follow major transportation improvements from planning through completion. The page includes interactive maps, infographics, videos, and updates. Residents can also subscribe to updates at the bottom of the webpage.
Transportation Capital Improvement Program Webpage
“Public Works is making strong and steady progress in turning the Commission’s TCIP priorities into completed and active projects,” said Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete. “The updated webpage gives residents a clear look at where projects are happening, how they are progressing, and how these investments are strengthening the county’s transportation system.”
The TCIP is supported by funding from the voter-approved Wild Spaces & Public Places surtax, as well as state and federal grants, gas taxes, and property taxes. While roadway resurfacing and reconstruction remain top priorities, the program also includes sidewalks, traffic safety improvements, drainage upgrades, connectivity projects, and other infrastructure improvements to create a safer, more reliable transportation network.
“This County Commission made a historic commitment to reversing decades of decline in our roads, and residents are now seeing that promise become new pavement,” said Alachua County Commission Chair Ken Cornell. “Thanks in part to the voter-approved Wild Spaces & Public Places surtax, we are delivering an unprecedented level of investment in safer roads, better mobility, and stronger infrastructure that will benefit Alachua County for decades to come.”
It is great to see these numbers after so many years of neglect.
They should also look at traffic congestion along Newberry and Archer Roads. The roads haven’t changed much in many years abut the expansion of property and cars to the west has created a problem over the years.
Newberry and Archer roads are both state roads. Due to state preemptions over the years, the county does not have the ability to simply say no to new developments on these roads. Property owners have the “by right” ability to build.
“Property owners have the “by right” ability to build.”
That if correct, but tell the whole story. Alachua County is supposed to make sure new development pays for itself.
Developer concurrency applies to Florida state roads. Under Florida’s concurrency laws, infrastructure—including state-maintained roads—must have adequate capacity (Level of Service) to serve a new development when a permit is issued, often requiring developers to pay a proportionate share for improvements.
Alachua County waived the proportionate fees, which could have been allocated for improvements on Newberry and Archer Roads, in exchange for developers agreeing to build at specific density levels. Ironically, the individuals who made this decision are still employed by the county.
Cornell states that the Wild Spaces & Public Places surtax is in part to thank for these road rescues. I continue to be impressed by this County’s ability to money grab under false pretenses followed by the misappropriation of those funds. I never agreed with this tax in the first place but using it for park improvements and recreation facilities throughout the county at least makes sense. Purchasing vacant land (wild spaces), removing it from the tax rolls and blocking public access to the publicly owned property, while within the purpose of the tax is frankly stupid.
Roads in Alachua County are in need of rescue due to decades of failure by the County Commission to properly prioritize infrastructure responsibilities. Using the Wild Spaces & Public Places surtax to bail out the County Commission for decades of shirking a fundamental responsibility of government is unconscionable and demonstrates a misrepresentation of what most voters expected the surtax funds to be used for.
When oh when will the voters be fed up enough to vote for something different?