[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6197208,"mediaKeyId","3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919","parentId",3853696,"title","FDOT presents Cove Road PD&E; residents press for smaller cross‑section, drainage fixes and noise mitigation","audioSeconds",1171,"startMs",909000,"endMs",2080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919&start=909&end=2080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919/thumbnail_909000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197208/Martin-County/Florida/FDOT-presents-Cove-Road-PDE-residents-press-for-smaller-crosssection-drainage-fixes-and-noise-mitigation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197208-e23848cdf48c9a5edd8e6516576bba73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163608&Signature=kgbLi2kg00oFX3QKbxx1qs3WEQie6ouKR-rb1FzPabgnfdI9fE28StQ5rIBlOGAWs2wfPEolm~k7wiJvT6Ku5vNb~dIerOaKmrhbSGO45v1c~7HexfiOQ9~PTb0b6vQgJmKSBxr0DkinduPRaHDZeUhee8vILFwRL8fyW0TqPdmGXAioEx0le9CpUD5O0Zjps-jsTZV3CWYctsMfgjyUOHkWhZlNedB-LGzz8ZMzcZ1zViFj7Bbpz43rcK2VE~rXJ86QGqk86VH2X4nCZbowk85cQS0SVNi7~kp8nkEdYtnBm04pQZcgtL~ld6lpTShiCtlx0U9CovM5hS9tAEsonA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Martin County, FL","date","2025-06-17T02:50:42Z","article","The Florida Department of Transportation presented an update June 16 to the Martin County MPO Policy Board on the Cove Road PD&E study, a project to widen about 3.2 miles of Cove Road from State Road 76 (Canner Highway) to U.S. 1 (State Road 5).

The MPO heard detailed design information from Vanita Saini, FDOT project manager for Cove Road, and Amanda Ashley, the PD&E consultant, who said the project’s “primary purpose of widening Cove Road from 2 lanes to 4 lanes is to add capacity for all modes of travel and improve the local transportation network.” The board also heard public comment from neighborhood residents and condominium association representatives who asked FDOT to reduce the proposed roadway footprint, address drainage and wetland impacts, and add effective noise mitigation.

The preferred geometry is divided into two segments. For segment 1 (Canner Highway to Avalon Drive) FDOT’s preferred typical section (alternative 1b) would provide two 11‑foot travel lanes in each direction separated by a 22‑foot median, with 12‑foot shared‑use paths on both sides and a minimum 119 feet of right of way. In segment 2 (Avalon Drive to U.S. 1) the preferred typical section (alternative 2c) includes 11‑foot outside lanes and 10‑foot inside lanes in each direction, a 15.5‑foot median and 8–10‑foot shared‑use paths, with a minimum 90 feet of right of way. FDOT said no on‑road bicycle lanes are included; bicyclists would use the shared‑use paths.

FDOT staff summarized environmental and design findings: the preferred alternative would directly impact about 6.96 acres of wetlands and produce about 1.29 acres of secondary impacts; one residential relocation is anticipated to accommodate a pond site; no impacts to identified contamination sites, cultural resources or FEMA floodplain were reported in the PD&E. A noise study identified one feasible noise abatement measure — an 8‑foot noise wall between Avalon Drive and Cable Drive near the Hibiscus Park neighborhood — contingent on final design and cost analysis. FDOT said ponds and drainage sites are preliminary and will be permitted through the South Florida Water Management District.

Residents at the public hearing pressed FDOT on the plan’s width, drainage and safety at neighborhood entrances. Warren Newell, a resident who commented during public testimony, said, “Let’s reduce the impacts. Let’s get back and really think about this a little more.” Jacob de Roos, speaking for Montego Cove residents, described the proposed entrance geometry as “a very dangerous maneuver” and urged FDOT to redesign the community access to provide more stacking capacity. Tyrone Monti raised questions about the traffic analysis that led to the widening and recommended vegetative buffers as an alternative to a solid noise wall.

FDOT responded to public concerns with process and design commitments: the PD&E study must obtain Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) before final design, FDOT will reanalyze pond locations and drainage layouts in the design phase and coordinate with county staff, and the design phase is funded in fiscal year 2025 while construction currently is not funded. FDOT also listed species protection commitments: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service standard measures for eastern indigo snake, a Florida bonneted bat survey 90 days prior to construction, and mitigation for wood stork impacts via service‑area wetland mitigation banks or conservation banks.

Board members asked FDOT to return with more detailed drainage design, pond siting and updated right‑of‑way and mitigation plans during the design phase. FDOT said it will hold additional small‑group and community meetings before finalizing designs and will coordinate landscaping and roundabout landscaping details with the county.

Project documents, FDOT said, remain available at coveroadstudy.com; FDOT expects to complete the PD&E and obtain LDCA in fall 2025. Design procurement will begin soon; construction funding has not been identified.

The MPO did not take a construction approval on the project at the June 16 meeting; the item on the agenda was an informational PD&E update and public hearing record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Metropolitan Planning Organization Meeting - June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Florida Department of Transportation presented an update June 16 to the Martin County MPO Policy Board on the Cove Road PD&E study, a project to widen about 3.2 miles of Cove Road from State Road 76 (Canner Highway) to U.S. 1 (State Road 5).","taxTitle","Martin County, Florida","taxId",12775,"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},6197190,"MPO authorizes chair to meet with St. Lucie TPO and FDOT on SU funding split",209,6091000,6300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919&start=6091&end=6300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919/thumbnail_6091000.jpg","/articles/6197190/Martin-County/Florida/MPO-authorizes-chair-to-meet-with-St-Lucie-TPO-and-FDOT-on-SU-funding-split","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197190-450482ece88d090264cba7dcba06f630/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163608&Signature=NpLZLyPutpWpprKT9ULwbNLb6CRDL4ZC-IoBJMXSQvFWqvhyHkK4ftnPGvLFuUh1RLZMkJAN78NHK4QtAEJnY8lu~J2g9Y~hjLS2khG1kvVs~KiBiuxLJWTt52BFuzB3Qjh1LeF0LbGGkFSNP8GSm3zM8Zg4HAyny6OXBfVS-FuBxvTnlCw7b5MhDDc4vgfrwFdUUpYPnVIgjScm5k2POxoWNUJ4vw0U8unDK8OjyLxe42KvFAq-59SnBigRjCeK4WwJXQHFCbHEQvt21GtYeSbZKIJUNfE6RNemlgBncUs8bCIs4zoXl6p62Ljv8zqBu4RuA~O5DNI4NjpcFCpLGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Martin County MPO Policy Board on June 16 authorized MPO Chair Commissioner Sarah Hurd to meet with the St. Lucie TPO chair and the FDOT District 4 secretary, if a meeting is requested, to discuss the current SU/TMA funding split between St. Lucie and Martin counties.

MPO staff reported that the Martin MPO previously sent a letter asking that the present funding split — 68% to St. Lucie and 32% to Martin for the SU/TMA allocation — remain in place for now but that future discussions about rebalancing the split could occur. Staff said the St. Lucie TPO plans to respond directly to the district secretary and will copy the Martin MPO; the district secretary may suggest a publicly advertised meeting of the two chairs and the district secretary to discuss factors affecting the split. The MPO motion authorizes Chair Hurd to attend such a publicly noticed meeting if FDOT or the TPO requests it before the next MPO meeting in September.

The motion passed unanimously.","Following earlier direction, the MPO authorized Chair Sarah Hurd to meet with the St. Lucie TPO chair and the FDOT district secretary if requested to discuss the Surface Transportation Program Urban (SU/TMA) funding split between Martin and St. Lucie counties; board approved the authorization unanimously.",{"_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},6197194,"MPO adopts FY27–31 project priorities; members move SR 710 intersection ahead of other projects and FDOT updates board on SR 710 design status",1753,4297000,6050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919&start=4297&end=6050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919/thumbnail_4297000.jpg","/articles/6197194/Martin-County/Florida/MPO-adopts-FY2731-project-priorities-members-move-SR-710-intersection-ahead-of-other-projects-and-FDOT-updates-board-on-SR-710-design-status","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197194-f19b2c0719f0698ef6e93db903399e91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163608&Signature=Gw9MauC58fwp6HM642EiyhKtLOM2yg7OC0ZgJyKyR9Z701Tfp7ynWLtUGOgUy9B24qYYW9MwUMfNDfjpZgLiRqmcgIhdqtcNRrOCPGdhqi-njQZfsfWHGmLZLkM7KJpahhHUfs4eL7uOXkSJ5c3ZV3rhbN2-OKe~1wzkZK3PY-speSeG1WORO6lEwINwaUwd2BxwcE~oFmk1MhHJXUsqxusfVldZFzhd0kHBny0VSY5yMHnZ0uTH7GNg2kkoP1kS4GgKiHi3ImHVww-YQ4RzouYxEr049-pqQOUSDHHFHlZx-6ZFm5JkR5KluGH0UEnPOngnzxoPx3q08RcOA70myg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Martin County MPO Policy Board unanimously approved the final FY27–31 list of project priorities June 16, including roadway, safety and transit candidate projects for future FDOT funding and grant applications.

Ricardo Vasquez, principal planner for the MPO, summarized the list presented in draft in February and said the two State Road 710 widening segments remain top priorities. Board discussion produced a motion to move project number 5 (State Road 710 at County Road 609/Allapattah Road intersection improvements) up to project number 3 to group related SR 710 projects together; the motion passed unanimously.

The board also reviewed an unfunded safety priority list intended to position projects for safety‑focused funding. Vasquez said some projects on the roadway priority list are also eligible for safety funds and explained that these separate lists reflect different funding “buckets” rather than a single chronological order.

Commissioners emphasized near‑term safety needs in several areas. Commissioner Stacy Hetherington argued that some safety projects — notably traffic signals or signal upgrades — should be pursued through grant programs or local funds if they cannot be scheduled quickly through FDOT’s five‑year work program. Commissioner Christopher Collins and others discussed the Bridge Road bascule bridge replacement’s elevated rank and recent county investments to maintain that used structure.

FDOT District 4 planning and environmental administrator Cesar Martinez gave a separate update on State Road 710 design status. Martinez said design work on the 710 corridor is ongoing, the state budget process may identify additional construction funding in coming weeks, and the design consultant has a supplemental agreement to study signal warrants at La Pata. He said FDOT will provide updates to the MPO in the fall and explore decoupling certain signal work from the larger widening contract if appropriate.

The MPO approved the final priorities list and asked staff to submit the list to FDOT for work‑program and grant consideration.","The Martin MPO approved a final FY27–31 list of project priorities, moved a State Road 710 intersection project up in ranking and reviewed a district update on SR 710 design funding and signal warrants; board members discussed safety priorities and unfunded safety projects for grant consideration.",{"_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},6197199,"MPO adopts TIP modification and approves final FY26–30 Transportation Improvement Program",280,628000,908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919&start=628&end=908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919/thumbnail_628000.jpg","/articles/6197199/Martin-County/Florida/MPO-adopts-TIP-modification-and-approves-final-FY2630-Transportation-Improvement-Program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197199-c2903e33163ecebedce3e992428a7f8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163608&Signature=Pnx4K53FU3J6~TprD2aXOh6n9UdzNjPlRwK3DAa2WHXYlsgO67ikA-6JqCgfi-q8CqRiC2p18gjN88wZQCBY35E1xbwrBnqYNHeGYTW7PTo49d9nnCkhhrU1FNa8EPF3ETLeszKqm5zb0u4S5W8r~8i93Zd7vQdDWo5~qP83LbNOJymYCYYgtFVi7K5Zv7nL4H4zv1oZKQN26XmKo8EsBQpee0yNeRSjiCnHpWSxSLmZX6-qwrt2xA4ZQIQ5rgnKbOtbU0MCNTS9C9r-vqLyXxUZo9EXxCBfFwKHrljEVgx6NMxWnVpbR~Rexg5O4~ty-aF1NZiOuxSUIY3SoGfahQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Martin County MPO Policy Board on June 16 unanimously approved two TIP items: a modification to the fiscal year 2025–2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the final draft of the fiscal year 2026–2030 TIP following a public hearing.

Margie Tamblyn, MPO senior planner, told the board that Federal Highway Administration review and the state work program had produced small mismatches that required the FY25–29 TIP modification to align the local TIP with the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Tamblyn cited two projects with adjusted funding and lengths including State Road 710 (funding lowered in the short run but preserved in the longer work program) and a $62,631 increase for the Willoughby Boulevard extension.

Tamblyn also presented the final FY26–30 TIP and noted minor edits since the May draft: project length corrections (for example, Northeast Shore Village Terrace to Denson Buttes Causeway and Monterey Road segment length adjustments), a one‑year shift in funding phases for some projects (moves from FY26–27 to FY27–28), and the addition of a FY25 capital improvement plan from Sills Point. She said FDOT project managers provided technical clarifications and no public comments were received at the hearing.

The board moved and seconded motions to approve both the modification and the final TIP; each motion passed unanimously.","Martin MPO approved a modification to the FY25–29 Transportation Improvement Program to align with the state schedule and unanimously adopted the final FY26–30 TIP following a public hearing; adjustments included project length clarifications and minor funding shifts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6197204,"MPO board approves Turnpike–I‑95 direct‑connect preferred alternative; project would remove crossover traffic from local interchanges",393,3657000,4050000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919&start=3657&end=4050","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853696-cfbf8542423a764499d21c3552ce2919/thumbnail_3657000.jpg","/articles/6197204/Martin-County/Florida/MPO-board-approves-TurnpikeI95-directconnect-preferred-alternative-project-would-remove-crossover-traffic-from-local-interchanges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197204-d5ea8eca731fa03380b7797676245fe0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163608&Signature=k0FGj9UmgPOy906JCadc~dNxJn7lOxH-1eHnMapjHdMl1rpfTlYSSc8qZTYap0S4HQqzcgg6LiJ3YchOrZnXo2EDb2l5AnDYZuV1vWe8r6UYPc-EsFNtrSzpPB2cHL7PD8PYuPQ8LsSOSMCfTL7sHvtgKQvPRRxDFgolJQZ64hKoMqD28H-rzZ~ZmOsdc0f332Oj4TlU6sJbVQ1MvGddzanDqxitYUMVCj0HHDInqw4YIv5Ix0CNGcqulposGyTQS7exWiczrmAjMNGKimVHpA7leqRO7uVe1PIXhNuXXkFxxP6a5yQxW500O4Ifni4VHpjDGea-L~0oECWrjPlg0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Florida's Turnpike Enterprise presented a preferred alternative June 16 to the Martin County MPO Policy Board for a direct connection interchange between I‑95 and Florida’s Turnpike near Bridge Road, and the board voted to approve the preferred alternative.

Turnpike staff said the project would provide four directional connections (northbound‑to‑northbound and southbound‑to‑southbound) so drivers would not need to use local roads to move between the two limited‑access facilities. Project presenters explained two alternatives were evaluated and that alternative 2 was selected as the preferred alternative because it provides the same four system‑to‑system movements while avoiding modifications to the existing I‑95 ramps.

Presenters told the board the preferred alternative would require additional right of way for ramps and access roads and that design and right‑of‑way costs will be refined as the PD&E process proceeds. The study estimates traffic benefits for year‑2050 conditions: the preferred alternative would move about 26,400 vehicles per day onto the new interchange configuration and is expected to reduce crossover traffic at the Indiantown Road Turnpike interchange (Palm Beach County) and the Martin Highway I‑95 interchange. Turnpike staff said the PD&E study is expected to be complete in early 2026 and a public hearing is planned later in 2025.

Commissioners and staff pressed for more public outreach; one commissioner said turnout to date in virtual/in‑person outreach “needs to reflect a lot more activity and participation.” Turnpike staff described mailed notices, press releases, social media and geofencing as outreach methods and said they will continue to expand outreach ahead of the public hearing.

The MPO board took a motion to approve the preferred alternative; the vote passed unanimously.","Florida's Turnpike Enterprise presented and the Martin MPO Policy Board approved a preferred alternative for a direct connection interchange near Bridge Road to link I‑95 and the Turnpike and reduce crossover traffic; alternative 2 was selected and the board approved the PD&E study’s preferred alternative unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

FDOT presents Cove Road PD&E; residents press for smaller cross‑section, drainage fixes and noise mitigation

MPO authorizes chair to meet with St. Lucie TPO and FDOT on SU funding split

MPO adopts FY27–31 project priorities; members move SR 710 intersection ahead of other projects and FDOT updates board on SR 710 design status

MPO adopts TIP modification and approves final FY26–30 Transportation Improvement Program

MPO board approves Turnpike–I‑95 direct‑connect preferred alternative; project would remove crossover traffic from local interchanges