A state task force is looking at ways to reduce bumper-to-bumper traffic jams and a high rate of accidents on Interstate 75.
The I-75 Relief Task Force, which held its first meeting last month, is developing a plan for alternative routes to move people and freight more effectively between Tampa and Jacksonville.
Those alternatives could include new highways or increasing the capacity of existing roads. They also could include passenger and freight rail or multi-modal trails.
Chaired by Rich Biter of the Florida Department of Transportation, the 22-member task force includes commissioners Garry Breeden of Sumter County and Stan McClain of Marion County.
The initial focus area will be west of I-75 from Pasco County to Gainesville, including portions of Sumter and Marion counties.
“What the task force is looking at is ways to reduce the traffic volume on I-75 and they’re particularly looking at freight between Tampa and Jacksonville,” Sumter County Administrator Bradley Arnold told commissioners last week. “They’ll look at improving existing corridors such as U.S. 301.”
In developing recommendations to be delivered by Oct. 1 to FDOT Secretary Jim Boxold, the task force will consider environmental resources, land use and development, agriculture, property rights, economic development, quality of life and regional issues, according to a report from the first meeting.
The group will recommend high-capacity, high-speed transportation corridors within the study area with the goals of providing relief to I-75, increasing safety, improving regional and statewide connections and enhancing economic development.
At its second meeting Monday in Crystal River, the task force will review county planning objectives and look at agriculture resources and conservation initiatives. A portion of the meeting will be devoted to public comment.
On April 6, the group has scheduled its day-long meeting at the Rohan Recreation Center in The Villages. An Ocala meeting is planned in August.
A preliminary 2013 study recommended conducting another study to evaluate the feasibility of developing a new transportation corridor connecting Tampa and I-75 between Wildwood and Lake City.
Information about the I-75 relief study was presented to the public at a webinar hosted by FDOT on Jan. 21.
Similar to the I-75 study, the East Central Florida Task Force completed a 2013 report that recommended new highways and expanding existing roads southeast of Orlando in Brevard, Osceola and Orange counties.
