1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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 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.

9. Contact Us! Sherry Alaghemand, PE Ian Satter http://nwflroads.com
FDOT Project Manager
(850)
Ian Satter
District Public Information Director
Toll-free (888)
Today’s presentation and other project information will be available at 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 – 1510, or via at You may also contact Ian Satter, District Three Public Information Director, toll-free at (888) , extension 1205 or via at
Click on “Future Projects” and select SR 30 PD&E Study
Florida Department of Transportation, District 3
1074 Highway 90 | Chipley, Florida 32428

10. 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.