Monday, December 9, at the Southwest-Central Florida Connector Task Force Meeting #3, representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) met with other public officials to discuss the Florida Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) program.

The meeting was held at the LaBelle Civic Center, and was filled with concerned citizens. Some even held signs that read, “No Build”, as they listened intently to the discussion. Many expressed concerns that construction of the roads could have a negative effect in rural communities and wildlife. Others argued that the new roads could help areas that continue to fall behind economically.

A plethora of informational displays and signs were set up around the room, one stating the M-CORES program’s multiple goals which included job creation, revitalization of rural communities, and provision of regional connectivity using technology to help enhance quality of life and public safety.

One display read, “During the process, protecting the environment and natural resources will be a priority. The objective of the program is to advance the construction of regional corridors that are intended to accommodate multiple modes of transportation and multiple types of infrastructure including broadband, sewage, water, and electric systems.”

People were gathered around another display that read, “The mission of the Suncoast Connector Task Force is to evaluate the Suncoast Connector corridor, which extends from Citrus County to Jefferson County. The task force will work in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation to address the need for the corridor and its potential economic and environmental impacts. The task force may consider and recommend innovative ways to combine right-of-way acquisition with the acquisition of lands or easements to facilitate environmental mitigation or ecosystem, wildlife habitat or water quality protection or restoration. The task force will specifically study how project design and land acquisition can mitigate the impact of construction on the water quality and quantity of springs, rivers and aquifer recharge areas; agricultural land uses, and wildlife habitat.”

The program involves three proposed corridors that could help set the stage for Florida’s future:

• Suncoast Connector – 150 miles from Jefferson County to Citrus County
• Northern Turnpike Connector – 40 miles through Citrus, Levy and Sumter counties
• Southwest-Central Florida Connector – 140 miles from Polk County to Collier County

Upon conclusion of Public Comment, task force representatives encouraged citizens to attend future public meetings and open houses in their respective corridors in order to share progress and gather input. These events are listed on the Calendar of Events: https://floridamcores.com/calendar-of-events/

Representatives also encouraged concerned individuals to visit the new website for citizen engagement: www.FloridaMCores.com.

The task force plans to summarize the results of its analysis in a final report by October 1, 2020.