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published: Friday, June 26, 2009
Turnpike project goes regional
ROXANNE BROWN
Staff Writer
MINNEOLA -- City, county and state officials gathered Tuesday to get a better understanding of what the Minneola Turnpike interchange project will entail.
An in-depth PowerPoint presentation outlined details from construction to completion dates and costs.
But the best example of what is in the works was the first-hand look attendees got by way of a four-wheelin' trek past Hancock Road and onto a clay road that took them down a few steep drops, across potholes, trees, puddles and mud to the site directly across mile marker 279 where the interchange will eventually bring people off the Turnpike and to the Hills of Minneola.
The 17 attendees seemed genuinely excited about the ride and did not let dress shirts, ties, dress shoes, skirts or heels stop them from stepping out to envision the finished project.
And one point that was driven home was this: What started out as a developer interchange on the Turnpike is turning into a regional solution to congested highways.
At the beginning of the meeting in Minneola council chambers, Florida's Turnpike Enterprise Executive James Ely told the group, "We're not here to wheel and deal, but more to bring you up to speed."
"It's about partnerships and you have to bring everybody to the table to get these important projects completed," Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos said.
The Gregg Family, incorporated under the name Family Dynamics, owns the land that makes up The Hills of Minneola, where the turnpike interchange will be. They have donated about 100 acres for construction of the interchange slated for mile marker 279 between the State Road 50 entrance near Clermont and the U.S. Highway 27 entrance on the south side of Leesburg.
Projections estimate a 2012-2014 opening date with a price tag of approximately $28.6 million for construction up to six lanes; another $127.3 million is planned for additional widening of the Turnpike from six to eight lanes 5-7 years in the future.
The turnpike interchange will be a Sunpass transponder only exit and will open with a 75-cent toll.
State Representative Marlene O'Toole (R)-Lady Lake, who was at the meeting, touted the economic benefits of the project.
"This project may not be something we'll see to completion in the next 30 days, but look at all it's bringing -- a new high school and so much commercial," O'Toole said. "It will take the hassle out of commuting to and from Orange County and 10 years from now, it will still ensure jobs and security."
Family Dynamics President Bruce Duncan, representing the Hills of Minneola project, said the Turnpike Authority and the legislators involved in the project recognize the interchange as a model for public/private partnership.
Many in attendance agreed that the project will alleviate future congestion and relieve overcrowded roads and turnpike accessibility by providing an additional connection onto and off the turnpike.
"It feels like this project is evolving and gaining momentum now that it went from being a developer driven project to a regional solution," said T.J. Fish of the Florida Metropolitan Planning Agency. Fish said the interchange will greatly benefit many people all across Lake and all of Central Florida.
The next step will be funding. The Hills of Minneola is prepared to contribute approximately $14 million over the life of the project, which leaves about $30 million to gather for first phase.
Ely proposed another meeting in July for preliminary funding talks.
"We are looking at all opportunities where funding may be available," Kopelousos said. "The important thing is to have these projects in place so that when the economy turns, they are ready to go."
