2/23/2016 – SR 408 Eastern Extension PD&E Study

On 2/23/2016 I attended the “SR 408 Eastern Extension PD&E Study Project Group Meeting” at the CFX headquarters downtown and had the first glimpse at what the expressway might look like when completed.  As you can see from the map to the right, this is a new expressway that goes from the end of 408 out to 520.  It is divided into 3 segments.  The purpose of the meeting was to gather ideas from traffic agencies such as FDOT, Orange County and MetroPlan as well as citizens who live in the area.  The group consisted of about 20 people.

Special announcement:  There will be a public workshop on March 8th at 5 pm where you will have an opportunity to comment on these ideas and provide input.  The format will be similar to the last meeting.  Stay tuned for more information on this meeting.

The extension consists of 3 segments:

• Segment 1: 408 to Avalon – this segment has the highest volume
• Segment 2: Avalon to 419 – this is the segment that crosses the Econ and is environmentally sensitive
• Segment 3: 419 to 520 – this segment is more rural

You will see in the pictures below that there are basically two approaches to building this expressway.

• The first approach is above Hwy 50 on an elevated roadway.
• The second approach is at the same grade as Hwy 50 either along side or between.

Here is the timeline of the project:

• March 8th:  public workshop
• August:  public hearing
• October:  completion of study
• Sometime after:  board consideration
• If board denies project:  stops
• If board passes the study:  project begins
• Design phase:  2-3 years
• Construction phase:  3-5 years
• Best case we would see a roadway in 2020-2021 which may be segmented

There are advantages and disadvantages to both ideas which were expressed in the meeting.   Here are the highlights:

Both options were screened through an environmental process.  Because this expressway crosses the Econ there is more to consider when it comes to protecting our environment.  There are stringent regulation in place for this protection.  The best option in this case is the elevated approach.

How will this fit into the current project of widening Hwy 50 to six lanes?  The section from Dean to just past the Econ bridge will be completed this year and if “The Grow” is approved, the section of Hwy 50 from the bridge to 419 will be funded and begin.  The design study for this section (DOT Section 7) is underway and will be completed in August.

Will there be new roadway that will have to be re-worked?  If the “at grade” option is chosen it could mean that much of the widening being done now will have to be re-worked.  With the elevated approach, the road might not be impacted.  Another plus for the elevated approach.

As a side note, the section (DOT section 8) of Hwy 50 from 419 to 520 is scheduled to begin design and will finish around June of 2017.

Will this pay for itself?  The projections as to when this roadway will pay for itself goes all the way out to 2045 so this project will have to be sustained by the existing tollways in place now.

There were a couple of residents who live in Bithlo that were not in favor of the “at grade” option as it would divide the community and make it difficult to cross.  The thought was that pedestrians would attempt to cross both Hwy 50 and the 408 to get to the other side.  I have to admit the thought of the old game called “Frogger” entered my mind.  It does seem like a nightmare especially since the cross points would be few and far between forcing pedestrians to walk a long way out of their way to cross the street.

There was a discussion about another route that was on the original drawings that would have started just east of the Econ bridge and go south around the bottom of Bithlo and the racetrack and connect to 520.  The citizens from Bithlo were in favor of this route.  While this was an option, the right-of-way cost and environmental impact would be too great and it is not proposed on these plans.  Orange County as well as other individuals expressed concern over this route.  This route is not being considered.

My conclusion is the elevated highway is the best option however there is one big caveat and that is money.  An elevated highway like this is very expensive so that is the real fly in the ointment.  That will be up to the CFX Board to decide.  If I were on that board I would most definitely be considering cost and the expense of this elevated highway.  It would be a shame if this was the option being considered only to be denied by the board based on cost.  We need this roadway to accommodate the unsustainable trend we are on even with the 6 laning of Hwy 50.

There was a brief discussion on transit and how it plays into this expansion.  The answer I heard was the expressway can be used by Lynx as it is today.

A brief discussion that talked about purchasing land for right of way long before it is actually needed and the obvious reasons for doing so.    By planning ahead and buying undeveloped land long before it is needed would save headaches.  Headaches such as we are experiencing now with this 408 extension.  It would also save money.  But then who can foresee that far into the future.  There was talk about the 408 going south all the way from 520 to 192 and beyond.  As well as up to 46.

The pictures below are in order from west to east starting at the end of the 408 and going all the way out to 520.  Please take a close look at these pictures as you will see them again on March 8th and will have the opportunity to provide your suggestions and opinions.