[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6686191,"mediaKeyId","2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664","parentId",2254303,"title","Crystal River mayor urges early planning for parkway exit, historic downtown impacts","audioSeconds",127,"startMs",1968000,"endMs",2095000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664&start=1968&end=2095","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664/thumbnail_1968000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6686191/Hernando-County/Florida/Crystal-River-mayor-urges-early-planning-for-parkway-exit-historic-downtown-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686191-bfbd460d6ddd89268a9ce404dca2a025/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220979&Signature=PwdqKIpVZSSIxSg4PlOQ7JsBndE8ZrMJCoKLnr9KdCQajnRGabPb0nFtrOxevul9vF-Uy3Xf6J4XHrrbnfjs69jE8UHP-LzxQoBiq2PVIs1qxnLiduwbcnvPzRBIwIqt85BwNPY7oMoGpq~qW3IsbXPsR740Wgj49izMSz9v~524CZ0s76SsXq1zlTSY~vdooruqW4GwC9Nw4LVJyh5xalL5U8mixD5Ic22po5VMSyFOYSaJd58UCZmQbLQXB~mz5uREME1Ys67S6iahBmIQMcFd4HJ0rO-ojvygdu7lEz95X7llu25XhSvPW-Yd36k-QEFHxYm7hfR~M1AZnmxFiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hernando County","date","2025-02-10T14:24:00Z","article","Mayor Joe Meek of Crystal River told the Hernando‑Citrus MPO board that the forthcoming Exit 495 from the Suncoast Parkway (anticipated in the parkway\u0000s next phase) will create traffic and access issues for historic Crystal River and the adjacent Emerald Oaks development.

Meek said turn lanes and access improvements will be required and asked the MPO and county staff to begin planning now because construction and the new exit are expected in roughly three‑and‑a‑half to four years. He said the historic downtown core along Citrus Avenue and U.S. 19 has buildings close to the roadway that limit how much the city can widen the street and recommended considering improvements a half‑mile away (Citrus Avenue at Turkey Oak) to reduce bottlenecks into the historic core while preserving its character.

Meek asked the MPO to \"put that on the radar\" and start conversations with the Turnpike authority and county staff about turn lanes and routing as developments come online around Emerald Oaks Road and the parkway interchange. MPO staff said they would look into the issue and report back.

No formal action was taken; the item was placed into MPO staff follow‑up for planning coordination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hernando County - Metropolitan Planning Organization on 2025-02-06 1:30 PM - Regular Meeting - Feb 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Joe Meek asked the MPO to begin planning around the future Exit 495 on the Suncoast Parkway and urged early consideration of turn lanes and alternate routing to protect Crystal River's historic downtown.","taxTitle","Hernando County, Florida","taxId",2876,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6686195,"Hernando‑Citrus MPO elects officers, fills committee seats; appointments pass unanimously",38,257000,295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664&start=257&end=295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664/thumbnail_257000.jpg","/articles/6686195/Hernando-County/Florida/HernandoCitrus-MPO-elects-officers-fills-committee-seats-appointments-pass-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686195-b9440b7758c5a07116c1dc78a64d99d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220979&Signature=k3UKwOT9D2a8V-i2E6MJSIlyez3eukvByDU21ojdnBAVQBMaiUUImmzhyO8R1GNcvs0iDCEIn6~yeFJN-LUAxtoo2oHSakT0YjvIIjGqbDv47k1bSpoRRgjIhBO56k9922OImy72UF0RJXxuQ3s-YTn31Cdr1qbCHSo4GoZsOtzdlZQYzAAiaSgLzORw9t5SSPIhJKLbTwEoNqoaTQ2LUeK5CIBgllo6in1riyhT3L7aCRvWadHfxyq9IONU6m97Rgz8-NBrlo31rJy7xARiKtG-0H1sing7YFh5GN4f-7fcGKWtM-ArH8mq4~0S7pDF55T-vNB8UuaMBVFiuTZfyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hernando‑Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization held its annual officer elections and confirmed several committee representatives during its meeting.

Commissioner John Alaco nominated Commissioner Bays (Citrus County) for MPO chair; the motion was seconded and the board approved the nomination by voice vote. The chair then recognized a motion to set Commissioner Brian Hawkins as vice chair; that motion also passed.

The board confirmed representatives to several regional and advisory bodies. It appointed Citrus County and Hernando County representatives to the Suncoast Transportation Planning Alliance and reaffirmed Paul Esposito as the Transportation Management Area Leadership Group representative. Commissioner Jeff Alaco was confirmed to continue as chair of the Hernando County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board; the board also ratified the Citrus County commission's selection of Jan Berwick for the Citrus County TDLCB position.

At the start of the action items, the board reappointed Scarlett Sharp to serve on the MPO Citizens Advisory Committee; Commissioner Jeff Kennard moved to reappoint Sharp and Commissioner Steve Champion seconded. The board recorded the Citizens Advisory Committee reappointment vote as \"Motion carries 5 0.\"

Chair and committee appointments were approved without recorded opposition when taken up during the nominations section of the agenda; the chair announced an election result as \"Motion passes nine‑zero\" on a motion to approve the chair nomination.

The business completed routine governance items and moved on to project briefings and director comments.","The MPO elected Commissioner Bays (Citrus County) as chair and Commissioner Brian Hawkins as vice chair, confirmed representatives to regional committees, and ratified a Citrus County appointment to the Citrus County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board. Several nominations were adopted by recorded votes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6686200,"FDOT puts County Line Road design into work program; MPO seeks state rural funds for US‑41 shortfall",150,1023000,1173000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664&start=1023&end=1173","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664/thumbnail_1023000.jpg","/articles/6686200/Hernando-County/Florida/FDOT-puts-County-Line-Road-design-into-work-program-MPO-seeks-state-rural-funds-for-US41-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686200-444e322e432e01768076d5dd1552683b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220979&Signature=ktVo4zWY~bWtZmioURI1cRNlq~gUk1JWwIB1-l2noB9GaMSpZQY6EtyvXoYKxwZ5xgLMoUPogI4KNPrkQrsaxFcDHXas1HDP8r5~e-XuQRbmbF180MPHrpCIY20i3PntKsgzwijwyspFbKLHePcb9bbfwWgyiLueZ~pHssACLiBdOF-KPYNleiG0eL2h~SaWOX3hAlUzkGKQQgNC2p2i0bemkn3wNmG9uwEvEwzTmCYzmqh5Z1OdUhOc6z7QLIqHUErAa9Tvz-dsKhbPwTh6OImx51OoOoAKGbMg4YLtW55UzbADPC6YYq~3lRupK5e7yFC199bh4Pt1NzKp2y~ePg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MPO Director Bob Babb briefed the Hernando‑Citrus MPO board on regional projects and funding needs, reporting that the Florida Department of Transportation has placed design funding for a segment of County Line Road (Suncoast Parkway to Mariner) in its current work program and intends to cover half of the design cost. Babb said FDOT\u0000s target for construction is fiscal year 2033 unless other funding becomes available.

Babb also told the board there is a rural arterial funding proposal being discussed at the state level and asked MPO members to advocate with state legislators. \"We still need about a hundred and 30,000,000 just to get that up to 200,\" Babb said, referring to the remaining funding needed for the US‑41 corridor in Citrus County.

Commissioners discussed the likelihood of state funds given recent budget actions and the need for local contingency planning. Commissioner Steve Champion cautioned that statewide budget cuts could reduce the chance of receiving significant new state money and said the MPO and counties should develop alternative funding plans, including local contributions. Commissioner Brian Hawkins and others pressed for a clearer, single‑page list of regional projects, shortfalls and funding requests for use in legislative outreach.

Board members said staff had opened coordination with Pasco County on County Line Road and were negotiating a letter of intent for intercounty collaboration and sequencing of work. The MPO also reported that County Line Road is now listed as a priority project with the Suncoast Transportation Planning Alliance (SCTPA), meaning it has regional visibility in coalition planning.

No formal board motion was required for the information items; MPO staff said they would circulate a one‑page project and funding summary to board members and follow up with FDOT and Pasco County on sequencing, utility relocation and the design schedule.

Board members also flagged other needs: the long‑range transportation plan identifies regional project priorities and staff said the MPO will pull relevant project shortfalls for use in legislative meetings.","FDOT included design funding for a segment of County Line Road in the work program and plans to fund half of the design; the MPO urged board members to press state legislators for rural arterial money to help close an estimated $130 million shortfall on US‑41 and other local priorities.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6686205,"Hernando‑Citrus MPO adopts lower traffic‑safety target, approves consent package",392,578000,970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664&start=578&end=970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2254303-81aaf8c648a26185702fdbf4343ba664/thumbnail_578000.jpg","/articles/6686205/Hernando-County/Florida/HernandoCitrus-MPO-adopts-lower-trafficsafety-target-approves-consent-package","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6686205-aebcf843583ec38128e3c94a44986fbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771220979&Signature=T8HnwfbSVGV27tUpkwPAW~AmdrwhENBIGH~osPXF30jWYZlUJQErkzluf2I6fAYICm5HbLZwr9SZQKDokiTtPlNIGKUk82Sb3ROjpjIT17-x4RS8gcnm0RvyQKeveDA8Z8Bl8WVskvXrxaxbtzfcr7nZkieZlxlJIrlNMI4YDjjU6pfuhSOa-bKLYcFxaEXQzvqGswXyeFdt~2PSpgaDL-FaFYJb6Fvpqa5HhPDO~xQeEZOmDCJ8NX1J~PzPJUfipkO8D3ZyCPw~BQLRZN0OjkzcdlfpVQTBYQcRf5X~dMlcihVlDSFhdg3UihkdfCsTdn0h2RJEEXxzcGoR9LMYWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hernando‑Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) on Thursday approved a consent package that included adoption of Florida Department of Transportation pavement, bridge and travel‑time performance measures and a revised safety performance target.

Paul Esposito, MPO staff, told the board the consent items include approval of the Dec. 5, 2024 meeting minutes; a transportation alternatives agreement with the City of Brooksville that would require Hernando County oversight for federal funds; adoption of PM2 and PM3 (pavement/bridge condition and system preservation/travel time) consistent with FDOT recommendations; and a change to the MPO\u0000s PM1 safety target. Esposito said the board would lower the MPO\u0000s goal for reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries from 5 percent to 1 percent going forward, saying, \"we're going to change it to a 1% as our goal reduction.\"

Board members discussed coordination among local agencies to address crashes and fatalities. Commissioner John Alaco said he has arranged meetings with the sheriff's office, fire and EMS and county public works to address recurring crash locations and to move beyond siloed responses. Commissioner Steve Champion and others noted rural driving patterns and a mix of contributing behaviors, including slow and fast driving, that affect crash rates in Hernando and Citrus counties.

After discussion the board approved the consent agenda on a recorded vote. Commissioner Steve Champion made the motion to adopt the consent items and Commissioner Jeff Kennard seconded; the chair announced, \"Motion carries 5 0.\"

The consent package adopted the safety target change and the FDOT performance measures the MPO staff presented. Board members and staff said they would pursue coordination across law enforcement, fire/EMS and public works and pursue outreach and funding options to support safety initiatives.

The MPO also noted that the FDOT safety PM submission deadline was imminent and staff prepared the package to meet the state schedule.

The board proceeded to separate action items after the consent vote.","The Hernando‑Citrus Metropolitan Planning Organization board approved consent items that include adopting Florida Department of Transportation performance measures and lowering the MPO\u0000s safety target from a 5% to a 1% reduction in deaths and serious injuries; the consent package passed on a recorded vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Crystal River mayor urges early planning for parkway exit, historic downtown impacts

Hernando‑Citrus MPO elects officers, fills committee seats; appointments pass unanimously

FDOT puts County Line Road design into work program; MPO seeks state rural funds for US‑41 shortfall

Hernando‑Citrus MPO adopts lower traffic‑safety target, approves consent package