If turnpike, I-95 are connected, can't Bridge Road connect, too, commissioners ask
MARTIN COUNTY — Connecting Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 95 here could cost $231 million and improve safety in the region.
County commissioners on Tuesday saw a presentation on three options — two described as "feasible" and one as "infeasible" — for the direct connection between the highways, which is under study by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. One feasible option costs an estimated $156 million while the other may cost up to $231 million.
While the cost of the infeasible option was absent from the presentation, officials with Florida's Turnpike Enterprise presented it because they were asked, according to project manager Jazlyn Heywood. Still, one commission wants the public to be able to weigh in on all three and fully evaluate all the choices.
"Show them the options," Commissioner Doug Smith told to Heywood during the meeting.
Smith was dismayed because Florida's Turnpike Enterprise already has eliminated a proposed turnpike interchange at Bridge Road. Officials with Florida's Turnpike Enterprise have design and safety concerns with connecting the turnpike with Bridge Road as well as with I-95.
Smith, however, disagrees with those concerns arguing the enterprise has built creative solutions in other parts of Florida, and it could do the same here.
Local access roads currently provide the only connection between the turnpike to I-95 in Martin County. The other options to quickly switch between the two highways are at West Indiantown Road in Jupiter and Okeechobee Road in Fort Pierce.
Two "feasible" options
Both "feasible" options would allow motorists to move between the two highways while continuing in the same direction.
The $231 million option would require modifications to existing I-95 ramps at Bridge Road. Ramp modifications would be avoided in the $156 million option.
Opposition to a Bridge Road/turnpike connection
Some officials oppose a full turnpike interchange at Bridge Road, such as County Commission Chair Harold Jenkins, who represents that area of the county.
"We're not going there?" Jenkins asked Heywood.
She confirmed at the meeting that neither of the feasible options provide additional access to Bridge Road. Motorists would continue to have access to Bridge Road only from I-95.
Traffic already backs up to U.S. 1 from the I-95 interchange at Bridge Road, Jenkins said. But he admitted his constituents are passionate on both sides of the issue.
Purpose and need
Connecting Bridge Road to the turnpike fails to meet the purpose and need of the proposal, Heywood said. The project's aim is to improve safety and emergency response, make emergency evacuations easier and add another link between the two highways.
But Jenkins and Stuart City Commissioner Troy McDonald, chair of the Martin Metropolitan Planning organization, which coordinates transportation improvements in the county, heard that Florida's Turnpike Enterprise is considering the project to alleviate congestion at the Indiantown Road interchange.
Either of the "feasible" options is expected to do just that.
What's next?
Construction of the project is likely years away. Officials with Florida's Turnpike Enterprise are planning meetings July 17 and 18 to hear opinions from the public.
More: $231 million project would connect Interstate 95, Florida's Turnpike in Martin County
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County Commissioner Stacey Hetherington told Heywood her agency should have more public meetings and to spread them out.
Following those July meetings, a preferred alternative is expected to be chosen, followed by a public hearing on that alternative and completion of the study in 2025.
The only part of the project that is currently funded is the study.
Keith Burbank is TCPalm's watchdog reporter covering Martin County. He can be reached at keith.burbank@tcpalm.com or at 720-288-6882.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: All options for I-95/turnpike link in Martin County should be shared
