Commissioners press for clarity as FDOT funds design work for Orange Avenue

Commissioners at the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency meeting on Feb. 29 pressed staff for clearer information after minutes from a prior meeting said there would be no state funding for Orange Avenue for five years.

The concern surfaced during the consent agenda when Commissioner Proctor asked why the minutes stated there would be no state funding for five years and whether anyone could verify that finding. A DOT representative told the board, “To date, they put $4,500,000 on the project, and that is primarily for the PD and E and the design, and they have initiated the design for the project.” The representative also said the project appears on the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency priority list as a top priority.

The board discussed whether the current design funding would be sufficient. Commissioner Proctor said the $4 million identified for design “is not gonna barely get us out of the park,” and pushed staff to pursue legislative support. Staff clarified that design funding has been provided but that right‑of‑way acquisition has not been completed: “it’s my understanding that they have not begun the right of way acquisition,” staff said when asked whether any parcels had been acquired.

Commissioner Cummings asked specific questions about acquisition status and staff replied that the design has not advanced far enough to determine final right‑of‑way needs for certain segments. Commissioners requested a clearer follow‑up from staff listing which projects remain on schedule for 2026 and which will begin later.

Why it matters: Orange Avenue has been identified in regional planning documents as a priority for connectivity and capacity. Design funding does not equal construction funding, and commissioners pressed staff to pursue additional state or legislative support if needed. The board asked staff to provide a written follow‑up identifying which projects will begin construction in 2026 versus later.