Real Estate & Property Law

Florida Dept of Transportation Public Hearing

By Alan Ackerman

TBO

ZEPHYRHILLS - The Florida Department of Transportation's plans for widening U.S. 301 between Zephyrhills and Dade City involves very little widening.

The department studied two options for widening the 71/2-mile road to six lanes, but project costs would have ranged from $85 million to $215 million. Both plans would have forced the department to buy extensive right of way and could have forced the closure of more than 30 businesses.

So instead, the DOT will recommend widening only the southernmost segment between Eiland Boulevard and Kossik Road. The rest of the highway would remain as is, except for intersection improvements at Centennial Road, Clinton Avenue, Morningside Drive and U.S. 98 Bypass. No businesses or residences would be relocated, and the entire project would cost about $42 million.

The Florida Department of Transportation is making an honest attempt to eliminate its eminent domain costs by placing a road in a small right-of-way.  The issue then is one of whether this will allow for safety in the community.  So long as safety is fulfilled, why should the agency expend money or take more property than is necessary.  However, if this is not safe, one would hope that the Commission would come to its senses upon such a finding.

Full post as published by National Eminent Domain Blog on November 18, 2009 (boomark / email).