MTPO advances Southwest 20th Avenue planning and asks FDOT to add Archer Road project

The MTPO approved a staff request to advance the planning phase of the Southwest 20th Avenue complete‑streets project from fiscal 2026 to fiscal 2025 to align with a competitive USDOT discretionary grant application.

County staff described the action as moving the project’s planning phase forward in the Department of Transportation’s tentative work program. Commissioner Hartford and others emphasized pedestrian safety and heavy use in the corridor and urged quick advancement. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote with members voting in favor.

Separately, FDOT presented its tentative five‑year work program (FY26–30). Commissioner Hartford noted that Archer Road four‑laning (Tower Road to Parker Road) — which the legislature funded at $2,250,000 in the past fiscal year — was not listed. FDOT transportation planning manager Kaya Brown said she would review the omission and staff amended the MTPO recommendation to ask FDOT to add Archer Road to the plan; the board moved and seconded that addition.

Board members also asked staff to coordinate project timing around campus resurfacing and lighting work and to keep the University of Florida and other stakeholders informed to minimize overlapping lane closures. FDOT reminded the board that written comments on the tentative work program are due Dec. 17; staff will present the final program on Jan. 13, 2025.

In public comment, city and community representatives raised questions about project timing and asked staff to examine whether restriping or complete‑street elements could be incorporated into resurfacing work.