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Monroe County sends prioritized U.S. 1 project list to FDOT; adds virtual weigh station and ITS among priorities
Summary
The board approved a prioritized list of U.S. 1 traffic projects developed with municipalities and FDOT, highlighting a virtual truck weigh station, an intelligent transportation system for signal control, and 22 Tier 1 projects carried forward for FDOT consideration.
Monroe County commissioners on Wednesday approved a resolution that forwards a prioritized package of traffic-flow improvement projects for U.S. 1 to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The list was the product of the Florida Keys Transportation Coordination Committee and municipal partners.
County staff said the recent update reflects nearly 18 months of work with municipal officials and FDOT. The committee expanded the priority list from 13 Tier 1 projects in the prior iteration to 22 Tier 1 projects this year; staff said many of those projects were requested by multiple jurisdictions and were focused on small geometric improvements and signal-timing measures intended to improve flow on the Overseas Highway.
Highlights the committee and staff underscored for FDOT include a request to convert the Snake Creek weigh station to a virtual configuration to eliminate left-turn conflicts from the mainline, and a county-wide push for an intelligent transportation system that allows remote signal adjustments, especially during events or incidents. Staff said the freight- and goods-movement plan produced analyses showing these kinds of targeted changes — turn lanes, signal modifications and coordinated ITS — can reduce congestion and improve safety without large-scale roadway widening.
Commissioner David Rice, who chaired the county’s coordination effort, emphasized multi-jurisdictional cooperation. “Every single resolution passed from every single municipality was unanimous in our effort,” he said. The board voted to transmit the prioritized recommendations to FDOT’s five-year work program process; FDOT officials will consider the list during their program adoption cycle that begins August 1.
The resolution passed by motion and second; staff said they will follow up with FDOT to seek inclusion of as many Tier 1 projects as possible in the work program and will return to the board with any funding requests or schedule updates.
