New highway 331 bridge in Walton County

[SHELLY]

Proposing to “design, build, operate and finance” the project was a private entity, “Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C.” Information to the NFTCA on the proposal was provided by Denver Stutler, the L.L.C.’s “managing member,” and a former DOT transportation secretary under the Jeb Bush administration. The Florida Department of State Division of Corporations lists Robert S. Hightower, a Tallahassee attorney, as registered agent for Moving US 331 Forward, L.L.C.

The L.L.C. had provided few details on the proposal but had included mention of the use of “stimulus funds” and “tolling” in the event those funds proved inadequate. The company anticipated later providing “a detailed funding plan.”

PORK in a POKE:

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[Matt J]

If this goes through we can just call it Walton County's most expensive fishing pier.

 

[DuneLaker]

It is mostly four lane from SoWal to Atlanta, except through beautiful Eufala and a few other spots. Somehow the traffic makes it through, certainly quite backed up on the busiest holidays. With more four lane on both sides of the 331 bridge, there will at least be a safer means of passing problem and slow vehicles. There is no rush, especially if we can avoid a toll. Still want to know all the names. At least get the names of their lawyers and lobbyists at the next meeting. The lobbyist should have to register with the state. Then, we can perhaps at least look up their clients and see who they are taking to lunch.

 

[SHELLY]

It is mostly four lane from SoWal to Atlanta, except through beautiful Eufala and a few other spots. Somehow the traffic makes it through, certainly quite backed up on the busiest holidays. With more four lane on both sides of the 331 bridge, there will at least be a safer means of passing problem and slow vehicles. There is no rush, especially if we can avoid a toll. Still want to know all the names. At least get the names of their lawyers and lobbyists at the next meeting. The lobbyist should have to register with the state. Then, we can perhaps at least look up their clients and see who they are taking to lunch.

...ditto...and add to that how they're going to finance it; where the financing is coming from; and who is backing up the financing. Somehow, with such a short timeline on requesting approval of the project, I can't see them extracting Economic Stimulus money unless it's already been "prearranged" to come from the money the state governors are getting from Obama. <I can be wrong, but I smell JOE in the room>

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[Matt J]

...ditto...and add to that how they're going to finance it; where the financing is coming from; and who is backing up the financing. <I can be wrong, but I smell JOE>

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I tend to doubt JOE, they've developed this area and are basically done. They'd much rather route you through Hwy 79 and CR 388.

What bothers me is the talk of using stimulus money to build a toll bridge.

 

[klauricella]

Since I drive from SRB to Freeport and back each workday and am not up to pay a toll twice a day, I e-mailed Sara Commander and Ronnie Bell of the county board of Commissioners to find out more info and let them know of my concerns. They both expressed similar concerns about this LLC and Sara even stated the following:

Please let others know they can email me on this. I am keeping a record of my emails on the concerns our people have.

So I encourage you all to do just that. I hope that these e-mails will make a difference and help to inform the board and others of our thoughts on this.

Do you have those email addresses handy??

 

[lms47]

Do you have those email addresses handy??

You can go to Walton County's website and click on her name/page to send an email.

 

[BeachSiO2]

Stimulus money has to be spent in two years (roughly) for project completion. This would be an amazing longshot to get it done and if it doesn't get done by the Administration's timetables the money will go to another state. Does Florida really want to gamble on this type of a project with these dollar amounts when they have other ones that are more likely to get done quickly. I stand by my earlier statement that while 331 bridge may have been deemed "shovel ready" and put on a list, but getting it done as a stimulus project is a longer longshot than the DOW rebounding quickly.

The dollars and cents don't add up and they are not paying for "partial projects." Just remember shovel ready does not mean stimulus eligible....

 

[lms47]

You can go to Walton County's website and click on her name/page to send an email.

FYI-received a response from Sara Comander on the email I sent and she also has major concerns with the toll on the bridge. Nice to know a commissioner is listening AND commenting on our concerns.

 

[klauricella]

Here is Sara Comander's email address.... comsara@co.walton.fl.us