as reported on WZEP AM 1460
WC BCC and U.S. 331
Since the early 1970’s the people in Walton County have been asking for help in paving the only complete north to south highway, U.S. 331. With budget changes, gone are the days of the government paying for all of a project. From the national level, the trend is for more and more toll roads as well as public private partnerships. In a special meeting, the Walton Commissioners were updated on the efforts to widen U.S. 331. The Commissioners had previously appointed TDC Director Dawn Moliterno as the point person for the lobbying efforts to get the highway wider.
Moliterno said the one thing about the many people working on the widening is they all agree the highway needs the extra lanes. She noted FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad and District 3 Secretary Tommy Barfield were present at the meeting. She also pointed out Mayor Carpenter from DeFuniak Springs and Kitty Whitney with the Chamber and Scarlett Phaneuf with the EDA, all present, as some of those helping.
Moliterno said the TDC asked the question that, “If the traffic worsens, then how likely would you be to choose another destination?” Over 60% said they would be likely to choose somewhere else. Moliterno said this is significant to the economic engine of the area. She also talked about concerns with evacuation times, the recent trip to D.C., and the work of our local federal representatives.
FDOT District 3 Secretary Barfield talked about the completed section south of the bridge and the plans for the section from north of the bridge to Highway 20. This is funded for $26 million and should start soon. They are looking at making the section of the Freeport bypass four lanes and just north of that the county project is starting to be worked on. The next section will go to Edgewood Circle. The final two sections are north of Woodlawn to I-10 and the Clyde Wells Bridge.
Barfield said they plan to build a new bridge to parallel the current one through the use of a toll. The $2 toll would generate $75 million. They would sell bonds to pay for the bridge. The toll would not increase over time and once the $75 million was retired, the toll would come off the bridge. The toll would be for the new southbound bridge only, not the current bridge. They would work with the Turnpike Enterprise. The prediction is to have the bonds paid off in 30 years.
Commissioner Cecilia Jones said a toll frightens her because of the workers who live north of the bay and the current economy. She said two dollars might not seem like much, but can be. Jones asked if they could research other options. Barfield said he would be willing to look at other options.
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As the Walton Commissioners met in special session to discuss Highway 331, State Department of Transportation Secretary Prasad said this was the second time of the month he has driven 331. He told the commissioners 331 is on their radar. He said Florida is on track to create jobs and there are people ready to invest, but they want to see where to invest. He asked district secretaries for projects that would “move the needle and start the investments”. He said 331 is one of the game changers. He also said the planned toll is because of the decline in the gas tax. He said that every year they are facing declining revenues due to people not driving less, but driving vehicles with greater gas mileage, or using hybrid and electric cars.
Prasad also talked about the federal highway bill with less money coming in. He said the House has a 6-year bill they need for more stability and the Senate has a 2-year bill. A key component is to encourage states to add tolling.
He said another key is the commitment the county and state are making. Prasad said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity due to the hunger of the construction industry. He told the commissioners, “If we can figure out a way to keep this on track, this is the time.” He said he knows tolls are always a sensitive topic, but they need to go ahead and deliver the project. He said he and Barfield want to get the highway to four lanes all the way to I-10, and they want to do this in a few years, not long term. He said Walton needs to say they are ready for people to invest.
Dawn Moliterno said Walton has to either find a way to come up with the local match or there has to be tolls in order for the project to get moving. She pointed out that if the project is not done in Walton, then the money will go to another project. She said they have to identify funding sources and there is a matter of timing. Walton Finance Director Bill Imfeld said the county can not just write a check, they have to look at funding. Options include an additional one cent sales tax. A large percentage of the sales come from tourists and generates about $12 million a year. This would take a public vote. This tax would sunset after a time and be partially paid for by people from out of Walton.
Moliterno recommended the commissioners create a task force to work in the sunshine with an appointee by each commissioner. The task force would come up with a recommendation and bring it back to the commissioners. She also said, if they recommend a referendum, then they need a bond advisor. Commissioners approved both recommendations.
Nothing is set and the task force could return with a recommendation of using the toll or finding a way, such as an additional one cent sales tax to pay for the county’s match. There will be at least one public meeting to gather input.
WC BCC and U.S. 331
Since the early 1970’s the people in Walton County have been asking for help in paving the only complete north to south highway, U.S. 331. With budget changes, gone are the days of the government paying for all of a project. From the national level, the trend is for more and more toll roads as well as public private partnerships. In a special meeting, the Walton Commissioners were updated on the efforts to widen U.S. 331. The Commissioners had previously appointed TDC Director Dawn Moliterno as the point person for the lobbying efforts to get the highway wider.
Moliterno said the one thing about the many people working on the widening is they all agree the highway needs the extra lanes. She noted FDOT Secretary Ananth Prasad and District 3 Secretary Tommy Barfield were present at the meeting. She also pointed out Mayor Carpenter from DeFuniak Springs and Kitty Whitney with the Chamber and Scarlett Phaneuf with the EDA, all present, as some of those helping.
Moliterno said the TDC asked the question that, “If the traffic worsens, then how likely would you be to choose another destination?” Over 60% said they would be likely to choose somewhere else. Moliterno said this is significant to the economic engine of the area. She also talked about concerns with evacuation times, the recent trip to D.C., and the work of our local federal representatives.
FDOT District 3 Secretary Barfield talked about the completed section south of the bridge and the plans for the section from north of the bridge to Highway 20. This is funded for $26 million and should start soon. They are looking at making the section of the Freeport bypass four lanes and just north of that the county project is starting to be worked on. The next section will go to Edgewood Circle. The final two sections are north of Woodlawn to I-10 and the Clyde Wells Bridge.
Barfield said they plan to build a new bridge to parallel the current one through the use of a toll. The $2 toll would generate $75 million. They would sell bonds to pay for the bridge. The toll would not increase over time and once the $75 million was retired, the toll would come off the bridge. The toll would be for the new southbound bridge only, not the current bridge. They would work with the Turnpike Enterprise. The prediction is to have the bonds paid off in 30 years.
Commissioner Cecilia Jones said a toll frightens her because of the workers who live north of the bay and the current economy. She said two dollars might not seem like much, but can be. Jones asked if they could research other options. Barfield said he would be willing to look at other options.
_____________________
As the Walton Commissioners met in special session to discuss Highway 331, State Department of Transportation Secretary Prasad said this was the second time of the month he has driven 331. He told the commissioners 331 is on their radar. He said Florida is on track to create jobs and there are people ready to invest, but they want to see where to invest. He asked district secretaries for projects that would “move the needle and start the investments”. He said 331 is one of the game changers. He also said the planned toll is because of the decline in the gas tax. He said that every year they are facing declining revenues due to people not driving less, but driving vehicles with greater gas mileage, or using hybrid and electric cars.
Prasad also talked about the federal highway bill with less money coming in. He said the House has a 6-year bill they need for more stability and the Senate has a 2-year bill. A key component is to encourage states to add tolling.
He said another key is the commitment the county and state are making. Prasad said this is a once in a lifetime opportunity due to the hunger of the construction industry. He told the commissioners, “If we can figure out a way to keep this on track, this is the time.” He said he knows tolls are always a sensitive topic, but they need to go ahead and deliver the project. He said he and Barfield want to get the highway to four lanes all the way to I-10, and they want to do this in a few years, not long term. He said Walton needs to say they are ready for people to invest.
Dawn Moliterno said Walton has to either find a way to come up with the local match or there has to be tolls in order for the project to get moving. She pointed out that if the project is not done in Walton, then the money will go to another project. She said they have to identify funding sources and there is a matter of timing. Walton Finance Director Bill Imfeld said the county can not just write a check, they have to look at funding. Options include an additional one cent sales tax. A large percentage of the sales come from tourists and generates about $12 million a year. This would take a public vote. This tax would sunset after a time and be partially paid for by people from out of Walton.
Moliterno recommended the commissioners create a task force to work in the sunshine with an appointee by each commissioner. The task force would come up with a recommendation and bring it back to the commissioners. She also said, if they recommend a referendum, then they need a bond advisor. Commissioners approved both recommendations.
Nothing is set and the task force could return with a recommendation of using the toll or finding a way, such as an additional one cent sales tax to pay for the county’s match. There will be at least one public meeting to gather input.