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Milton council hears FDOT denial of Strategic Intermodal System designation for Highway 90, urged to press county
Summary
Council members were told that the new FDOT secretary did not approve Milton's request to designate part of Highway 90 and the route to Whiting Field as part of the Strategic Intermodal System, lowering the city's priority for state funding. Councilmembers urged outreach to county commissioners to elevate the project for future funding.
Council members reported at the Oct. 14 meeting that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) declined to add portions of Highway 90 and the route to Whiting Field to the Strategic Intermodal System. The change means the corridor will be lower in priority for state funding.
The reporting councilmember said the FDOT secretary "did not agree that we met the criteria," leaving local charrette design work and improvement plans on the shelf unless the city can convince county or regional decision-makers to elevate the project for funding. The councilmember urged colleagues and residents to contact county commissioners and other stakeholders to advocate for the project so it might be reconsidered for the FDOT five-year work program.
City staff also reminded the public there will be an FDOT District 3 hybrid public hearing on the tentative five-year work program with in-person and virtual attendance options; the hearing requires preregistration and was scheduled in the near term. Council members discussed that being part of the Strategic Intermodal System would improve the city's ability to secure design and construction funds for improvements that support access to Whiting Field and local commerce.
No formal council action was taken on the matter at the Oct. 14 meeting; the report functioned as an informational update and a call to advocacy.
