U.S. 98 (State RoaD 30) Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study August 8 & 10, 2016 Agency Kick-off Meeting FLA-ALA TPO Mr. Chairman…..fellow commissioners….Good morning. My name is Dan Kristoff. I am the RS&H (consultant) Project Manager assisting the FDOT with this PD&E study. With me today is FDOT District 3 Project Manager Sherry Alaghemand.

U.S. 98 (S.R. 30) PD&E Study Project Limits: Project Location Project Limits: Portside Drive in Santa Rosa County to SR 393 (Mary Esther Blvd. in Okaloosa County Santa Rosa County Okaloosa County Santa Rosa County Okaloosa County Begin Project The project begins just east of the Garcon Point Bridge at the U.S. 98 intersection with Portside Drive in Santa Rosa County and extends eastward into Okaloosa County, ending at the intersection OF SR 393 in Mary Esther. The purpose of the PD&E study is to examine capacity improvements for U.S. 98 and secure approval for compliance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act End Project

Major Phases to Complete a Project Planning Candidate Projects Based on Preliminary Analysis and determination of need Prioritize Projects Funding Options/Availability Reviewed/Programming Project Development & Environment Study Develop Preliminary Alternatives Assessment of Potential Environmental & Community Impacts Substantial Public Involvement Initiatives Preferred Alternative(s) advance to Preliminary Engineering Preliminary Design Develop up to 30% Design Plans Additional Public Outreach Agency Coordination Final Design Proceed through Design, 60, 90 % plans Permitting Process Final Cost Estimates This graphic identifies the major phases that a project such as U.S. 98 are required to follow; It begins with the planning phase, where candidate projects are identified in cooperation with local government. This has been accomplishes as it has been included in the FDOT Long Range Plan; The Project Development and Environment Study, also known as a PD&E Study, follows and is currently underway; The PD&E study is followed by preliminary and final design activities; Once Right of way acquisition is completed the project will be ready for construction. At this time only the PDE phase is funded in the current FDOT five-year work program. Right-of-Way/ Acquisition Proceed with acquisition of necessary property Construction

Project Development & Environment Study PD&E Study Phase Project Development & Environment Study Data Collection – Existing Conditions Environmental, Social, Engineering Forecast Future Traffic Develop Potential Improvements/Alternatives Assess Potential Environmental & Community Impacts Select Improvement or Alternative to advance into Preliminary Engineering Major elements of the PD&E process include: Collecting and evaluating existing conditions; Forecasting the future traffic demands; Developing alternatives to meet the future need and maintain mobility in the region; Evaluating the potential environmental and community effects associated with each alternative; Concluding with a recommendation that will be advanced with more detailed engineering development; (CLICK) In addition, a public involvement program is incorporated throughout the PD&E study. Incorporate a Public Involvement Program throughout the study

About the Corridor Portside Drive to Mary Esther Boulevard (24.5 miles) Premier arterial roadway throughout Florida's Gulf Coast Four lane roadway with a 30 foot median between opposing travel lanes Major corridor serving: Daily home to work commuters Large retirement population Military facilities Vacationers & tourists The project is twenty-four an one half miles in length; It is the premier route along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Two travel lanes in each direction separated by a median divisor throughout the project length. Turning lanes occur at all major intersections; While we have similar roadway elements, as shown on the images there are substantial differences with respect to the features along the corridor. The corridor serves commuters, tourists, vacationers, the vast military complexes, and the retirement community; this mix of users provides other challenges that will be confronted. It also serves as a major hurricane evacuation route.

About the Corridor Recent Improvements Resurfacing in Santa Rosa County Buffered bicycle lanes Interchange at Hurlburt Field Over 31 signals assist in controlling the traffic and provide safety at the major intersections There are 13 major utilities in the roadway right-of way In Santa Rosa County, a major segment of the project has had a resurfacing of the existing facility. A notable aspect of that resurfacing project was the inclusion of the “buffered” bike lane, for non-motorized vehicles. In Okaloosa County, the new interchange at the Hurlburt Field provides both short and long term operational and safety improvements. However, traffic will continue to increase and US. 98 will require further improvements to maintain mobility within the region

Study Purpose The study will investigate: Widening the existing facility Improving intersection operations Evaluating accident locations to improve safety Providing multi-modal opportunities Cars & trucks Transit operations (Park-n-ride Lots) Bicycles Pedestrians The study will examine the following; Widening the existing facility throughout the project limits; Increasing the efficiency of intersection operations; Improving safety with access management features; Provide multi-modal opportunities for the residents and daily commuters, thereby not only accommodating cars and trucks, but also bicyclists, pedestrians, and potential mass transit operations Federal Regulations also require the Department to consider the No-Build, or the “Do Nothing” alternative throughout the study

Project Schedule This PD&E Study has a forty-two month schedule. We began in April of this year are in the data collection phase. A major item that we will be completing in the next two months is the traffic forecasting. The yellow colored star indicates the public kick-off meetings that will be held on September 20th and 22nd. The meetings will be at the Navarre Conference Center just east of the SR 399 intersection. Subsequent advertised public meetings are anticipated to occur in the fall of 2017 when alternatives will be presented and in fall of 2018 when the recommended alternative will be presented at a public hearing. In the summer of 2018 we anticipate receipt of Federal Approval. Also, Our project team is available for additional non-scheduled meetings that can be held with local governments, Chambers of Commence, Homeowner's’ Associations and special interest groups.

Contact Us! Sherry Alaghemand, PE Ian Satter http://nwflroads.com FDOT Project Manager (850) 330-1510 Sherry.Alaghemand@dot.state.fl.us Ian Satter District Public Information Director Toll-free (888) 638-0250 Ian.satter@dot.state.fl.us Today’s presentation and other project information will be available at www.NWFLRoads.com. Simply click on “Future Projects” and select S.R. 30 under Okaloosa or Santa Rosa County. Comments can be made on the website and are encouraged, welcomed and appreciated.   Public participation for the project is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Should you have any questions regarding the project, you can contact Sherry Alaghemand, P.E., at 850- 330 – 1510, or via email at sherry.alaghemand@dot.state.fl.us. You may also contact Ian Satter, District Three Public Information Director, toll-free at (888) 638-0250, extension 1205 or via email at ian.satter@dot.state.fl.us.  http://nwflroads.com Click on “Future Projects” and select SR 30 PD&E Study Florida Department of Transportation, District 3 1074 Highway 90 | Chipley, Florida 32428

U.S. 98 (State RoaD 30) Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study August 8 &10, 2016 Thank You! This ends our presentation. April and I are pleased to respond to any questions you may have or take comments/suggestions/ideas that you may want us to consider.