Alternative Alignments Public Meeting GULF COAST PARKWAY Alternative Alignments Public Meeting

GULF COAST PARKWAY FPID No.: 410981-1-22-01 The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting a Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study for a proposed new roadway (the Gulf Coast Parkway) that would connect US 98 in Gulf County with US 231 and US 98 (Tyndall Parkway) in Bay County. District 3 Environmental Management Team

Project Location

Purpose and Goal of the Meeting To gather input from and provide information to the public about the alternative alignments. To obtain information from the public about their preferences and concerns for the alternative alignments and the overall project. To provide information to the public about the potential benefits and impacts of the alternative alignments so they can make an informed decision about these options.

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans.

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. Reduce Travel Times

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. More Direct Route for Freight

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. Improve Enterprise Zone Access

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. Direct Route for Tourists

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. Direct Route from Gulf County to Airport

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. Increase Traffic Capacity

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. Improve Tyndall Security

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide an alternative consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. Alternate Evacuation Route

Purpose and Need for the Gulf Coast Parkway Reduce travel times for residents from south Bay and Gulf Counties to employment centers in Panama City. Provide a more direct route between US 98 and freight transfer facilities on US 231 within Bay County. Improve access between Gulf County Enterprise Zones along CR 386 and US 98 and the major freight transportation route out of Bay County, US 231. Provide a direct route for tourists traveling US 231 to reach vacation and recreation opportunities in south Gulf County. Provide a more direct route from south Gulf County to the Panama City International Airport (existing and proposed). Increase traffic capacity of existing roadways; in particular the currently congested sections of US 98 (Tyndall Parkway). Improve security for the Tyndall Air Force Base Reservation by providing an alternative route to US 98 through Tyndall. Provide an alternative to existing emergency evacuation routes. Provide a new corridor consistent with the adopted Bay County Long Range Transportation Plan; and the adopted Bay County and proposed Gulf County Comprehensive Plans. An Alternative Consistent with Plans

Proposed Typical Sections

Project Background Original Corridor Feasibility Study – Project Area

Project Background Original Corridor Feasibility Study – Alternative Corridors

Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) ETDM is the FDOT’s requisite streamlining process for implementing early agency and public involvement in transportation projects. Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) http://etdmpub.fla-etat.org/est/ Project 7559 Environmental Technical Advisory Team (ETAT) ETAT Submitted Corridors

Project Background PD&E Study – Environmental Technical Advisory Team (ETAT) Alternative Corridors

PD&E Study – ETDM Alternative Corridors

Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) and Project Scoping Programming Screen completed April 19th, 2007. Dispute Resolution identified by several agencies ETAT Dispute Resolution Issue Action Plans meeting August 28th, 2007. www.gulfcoastparkway.com Notice of Intent published November 1st, 2007. Class of Action Determination completed – EIS. Public Scoping meeting held November 17, 2007.

Corridor Alternatives Evaluation Summary Report Recommendations from the report approved by FHWA in March 2009. ETAT review and comments in April 2009. Final approval received by FHWA in June 2009. Corridors 8, 14, 15, and 17 identified for further evaluation in the PD&E Study Based on comments received from the ETAT an additional alternative alignment (Alternative 19) was designed, which connects the south half of Corridor 17 with the north half of Corridor 14.

PD&E Study – Corridors Identified for Further Evaluation

PD&E Study – Corridors Identified for Further Evaluation – Alternative 19

Corridor 8

Corridor 14

Corridor 15

Corridor 17

PD&E Study – Alternative Alignments

Alignment 8

Alignment 8

Alignment 14

Alignment 15

Alignment 17

Alignment 19

Evaluation Matrix

The Next Steps Compile data from the Public Opinion Surveys Complete the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and supporting technical reports FDOT/FHWA/Cooperating Agencies Review Approval of DEIS for public availability Public Hearing

Tentative Project Schedule Alternative Alignments Public Meeting – Today Draft EIS – Early 2010 Public Hearing – Summer 2010 Final EIS – End 2010 Location Concept Design Acceptance – 2011

Public Opinion Survey www.gulfcoastparkway.com/survey.cfm

Contact Information Alan Vann Project Manager FDOT District Three Environmental Management Office 1074 Highway 90 Chipley, FL 32428 Alan.Vann@fdot.state.fl.us Ph: (850) 415-9523 Ph: (888) 638-0250 (toll free) Rosemary Woods Associate Vice-President PBS&J 2639 North Monroe Street Bldg. C Tallahassee, Florida 32303 rewoods@pbsj.com Ph: (850) 575-1800 Ph: (888) 940-7275 (toll free) Tommie Speights Public Information Officer FDOT District Three 1074 Highway 90 Chipley, FL 32428 tommie.speights@dot.state.fl.us Ph: (850) 415-9208

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