2018 BUILD APPLICATION
APPLICATION INFORMATION Type of Application: Capital Location: Pasco County, FL Urban Areas: Tampa Bay Metropolitan Area Amount Requested: $15.1 Million
PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA
I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange PASCO COUNTY I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Pasco County, Florida is ambitiously embarking on a journey to become “Florida’s Premier County.” By focusing on the principles of creating a thriving community, enhancing quality of life, stimulating economic growth, and improving organization performance, the agency is poised to take the community to the next level. In order to accomplish this, Pasco County must offer the region a healthy environment for mobility and connectivity. Since 2006, the East Pasco County area has been experiencing a dramatic increase in population and employment which has resulted in congested travel along Interstate 75 (I-75) and particularly at the CR/SR 54 and SR 52 interchanges of I-75. Additionally, this congestion has created negative impacts to Pasco County’s rural areas, specifically the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection District. In order to address these conditions, Pasco County, is pursuing funding for the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange – a transportation improvement project that will improve mobility, increase accessibility, and afford new opportunities for economic development. Pasco County and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) have identified the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange Project as the number one priority project in Pasco County. Additionally, this project has been endorsed by both the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). An Interchange Justification Report (IJR) has been developed by the County concurrently with a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. The IJR has been approved by FDOT and FHWA and the PD&E was approved in October 2017. The total project cost is $63.2 million (in 2017 dollar terms). The County has identified $33,045,528 for the project, which is being committed as local match. Additionally, FDOT has committed another $15 million. The region is pursuing $15,172,272 through the BUILD discretionary grant program to support this project. A Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) was conducted following BUILD guidelines to compare the benefits and costs associated with the proposed project. Results indicate that the project will yield 2.95 times benefits compared to costs. The project is not only a good use of federal dollars, but also a much needed investment for the mobility, connectivity, and economic vitality of the region.
I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange Benefits Quality of Life Environmental Protection Improved Mobility & Access to Parks, $1.6 M Transportation Choices, 28,231 Jobs In Emissions Cost Savings & 5 Secondary Schools Safety Innovation $23.4 M In Accident Cost Savings Design/Build and implementation of FHWA’s
4 State Evacuation Routes Access “Every Day Counts” principles and SMART Goals State of Good Repair Economic Competitiveness $8.3 M 13.9 M VHT Saved & $100.1 M In Travel Time Savings Structure Residual Value 176.4 M VMT Saved & $24.4 M In Vehicle Operating Cost Savings TOTAL PROJECT MONETIZED BENEFITS:$157.8 M (in Present Value Terms)
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Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... ES-1 SECTION I: PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 1 Economic Development ...... 1 Rural Community Benefits ...... 1 Transportation Challenges ...... 2 An Interchange Ready for Implementation ...... 2 SECTION II: PROJECT LOCATION ...... 3 Area Characteristics ...... 3 Project Location Transportation Connections ...... 3 SECTION III: GRANT FUNDS, SOURCES, & USES OF ALL PROJECT FUNDS ...... 9 Project Costs ...... 9 Funding Commitments ...... 9 SECTION IV: MERIT CRITERIA ...... 11 Safety ...... 11 State of Good Repair ...... 14 Economic Competitiveness ...... 14 Environmental Protection ...... 16 Quality of Life ...... 17 Innovation ...... 18 Partnership ...... 20 Non-Federal Revenue for Transportation Infrastructure ...... 21 Results of the Benefit-Cost Analysis - Summary ...... 21 SECTION V: PROJECT READINESS...... 23 Technical Feasibility ...... 23 Engineering ...... 23 Financial Feasibility ...... 24 Assessment of Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies ...... 24 Schedule ...... 25 Required Approvals ...... 25 NEPA Approval ...... 25 Permitting ...... 25 Public Involvement ...... 25 Additional Approvals ...... 26 Federal Wage Rate Certification ...... 27 APPENDICES ...... 28
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List of Tables Table 1: Project Costs...... 10 Table 2: Project Funding Plan ...... 10 Table 3: Crash Summary by Frequency (2013 through 2017 ...... 11 Table 4: Design Year (2040) Traffic Operations Comparison ...... 12 Table 5: Benefit-Cost Analysis – Summary Results (in millions of 2017 dollars) ...... 21 Table 6: BCA Results by Long-Term Outcome (in millions of 2017 dollars, present value terms) ...... 22 Table 7: Project Schedule ...... 25
List of Figures Figure 1: Project Location ...... 4 Figure 2: Existing Population Density...... 5 Figure 3: Future Population Density ...... 6 Figure 4: Existing Employment Density ...... 7 Figure 5: Future Employment Density ...... 8 Figure 6: Crash Density ...... 13 Figure 7: Map of Interchange and Market Areas ...... 14 Figure 8: Pasco County Mobility 2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Projects ...... 26
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SECTION I: PROJECT DESCRIPTION Pasco County has partnered with and is supported by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and 22 local, regional, public and private stakeholders to build a critical interchange project on Interstate 75 (I-75) and Overpass Road. This infrastructure component serves as a safe gateway to rural north-central Florida, and an anchor for economic development for neighboring, growing communities. The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange is located along the primary route of I-75 between the existing interchanges of State Road 52 (SR 52) and State Road/County Road 54 (SR/CR 54). Currently, the distance between the existing interchanges is 6.625 miles, which is a longer distance than the FDOT and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) minimum standards. This project reduces the distance in between each intersection to meet the standards and involves the reconstruction of the existing Overpass Road overpass into a full-diamond interchange. This includes dual westbound-to- southbound I-75 turn lanes, and a single eastbound-to-northbound I-75 left-turn lane extending across a new Overpass Road bridge. Economic Development The Pasco County project area is situated between a flourishing activity center, a city in need of economic development, and a protected rural community. The Wesley Chapel market is to the south of the proposed interchange, and according to the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce is recognized as one of the nation’s top 40 fastest growing communities. Wesley Chapel offers extensive commercial, residential, educational, and industrial facilities, encompassing 2,000 acres of employment center infrastructure. The project itself is in an area selected as a pilot Connected City Benefits community for the State of Florida’s Connected Facilitation of hi-tech industry growth and City initiative. The Connected City includes an ultra-fast communications network used to communications: Smart Gigabit Community attract new technology industries. In addition, this area has been granted a certification from the Innovative partnerships and job creation: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Florida Hospital & Wellness Community (DEO) for a 10-year pilot program also facilitating high-tech industry growth and Promotion of Alternative Transportation innovation. Networks: On-Demand Autonomous Cars Finally, the site of the I-75 at Overpass Road project connects to 1.8 million square feet of development for utilization as an industrial and office park, employing an estimated 4,000 residents. This is planned for utilization as a Job Ready Site, and has supporting LEED certified technology infrastructure that can meet the needs of an innovative and eco-friendly market. These elements lay the foundation for a successful economic center for Pasco County, but also trigger a tremendous increase in traffic along the I-75 corridor and the interchanges in the area. Rural Community Benefits Zephyrhills is a small community of 13,288 people (2010 U.S. Census) located at the end of future Overpass Road extension to the east of the project. Median annual income is $33,253 and according to U.S. Census estimates, 19% of the population is below the poverty level. However, Pasco County is supporting the transformation of this city from a rural community into an activity hub. The new interchange on Overpass Road, in combination with the Overpass Road extension to Zephyrhills, enables more efficient access to economic opportunities for this community. Just north of the project location is the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District. This District was implemented in 2016 to preserve the area’s existing rural and agricultural character and appropriately guide growth for future residents to participate in a rural lifestyle. SR 52 provides close interchange access for this District and is also classified as a Rural Scenic Roadway Corridor limiting the travel lanes and maintaining a rural typical cross section. Per the I-75 and Overpass Road PD&E Study, traffic volumes at this interchange
1 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grant – FY2018 PASCO COUNTY I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange have resulted in a crash rate for this location of 2.194 per million entering vehicles (MEV), which was above the state average. The construction of the new at Overpass Road interchange relieves congestion for this interchange, increasing safer access for the rural communities of north east Pasco County including the cities of San Antonio, St. Leo, and Dade City. Transportation Challenges Wesley Chapel Traffic on I-75 Since 2006, the East Pasco County area has experienced a dramatic increase in population and employment. According to County officials, this area is estimated to grow from 53,000 (2006) to 218,000 or 300% by 2035. This growth is influencing the travel demand along I-75, which is a critically important facility for FDOT and FHWA. I-75 is part of the National Highway Network and National Highway Freight Network. I-75 is also part of Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), a system of high priority transportation assets critical for statewide and interregional travel. It is one of the primary corridors utilized by over 60 million annual visitors to Florida, in addition to statewide and local traffic. Deteriorating conditions along this section of the roadway have continued to intensify due to growth impacts, specifically in the Wesley Chapel area. Per the PD&E Study, the northbound ramp terminal intersection at the SR 54 interchange operates below acceptable LOS during both peak hours. The intersection of the I-75 southbound ramp at SR 52 operates below acceptable LOS during the p.m. peak hours. Crash rates for both intersections are higher than FDOT average crash rates for similar facilities with rear-end and angle type crashes being the most frequent. This existing system, even with reasonable improvements, is incapable of satisfactorily accommodating the design- year (2040) traffic demands due to projected traffic volumes, and is expected to experience excessive delays at ramp junctions and ramp terminals along the I-75 mainline. An Interchange Ready for Implementation An Interchange Justification Report (IJR) was completed in 2013 and funded by Pasco County with review support from FHWA, FDOT Central Office, and the FDOT District Seven Interchange Review Committee. The IJR was approved in April 2014 and demonstrated that the addition of a new interchange at Overpass Road reduces traffic volumes at each adjacent interchange by 13,000 vehicles per day. The adjacent interchanges at SR 52 and CR/SR 54 are heavily utilized, generating congestion and unsafe traveling conditions. The new Overpass Road Interchange provides an alternative and reduces the overall traffic pressure on the existing, over-utilized infrastructure. The project is expected to improve traffic operations, enhance connectivity, and improve safety on and in the immediate vicinity of I-75. The project has made significant headway in readying essential project components for implementation. For example, as part of the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for this interchange, Pasco County submitted an Environmental Assessment Finding of No Significant Impact (EA FONSI) which was reviewed by the FDOT Office of Environmental Management. The County received approval with a Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) at the end of October 2017. Additionally, all required permits have been identified and the additional land could be publically owned before construction. The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange will play a significant role in the regional transportation network by enhancing connectivity, safety, and traffic circulation. This project will divert 13,000 cars from adjacent interchanges that are currently projected to operate below an acceptable LOS in the future and also assist with emergency evacuation. The improvements ensure mobility is maintained on Florida’s Interstate Highway System and accessibility to existing and proposed developments is enhanced along the connected corridor.
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SECTION II: PROJECT LOCATION Rural Pasco County Area Characteristics The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange project is located within Pasco County, Florida, home to approximately 500,000 residents. Figure 1 shows the project location. The County is located adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses approximately 868 square miles, with land area consisting of 86 percent. The County is part of the Tampa-St. Pete-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), which is the second largest MSA in the Southeast and the 21st largest in the country. Lands within the project area include Connected Cities and a 100-acre County-owned parcel currently being developed for a Class A Office and Industrial Park. The project area is also designated as an Urban Service Expansion Area, in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of Unincorporated Pasco County. The long-term vision, as reflected in this plan, includes a significant increase in residential, commercial, industrial, and employment land uses, resulting in further population growth. Figures 2 through 5 display the existing and future (2040) population and employment densities. Located on Overpass Road in the vicinity of the project is the Villages of Pasadena Hills Stewardship District. This District was created to help prevent urban sprawl in this area of the County and also provide sustainable infrastructure. The Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH) supports the construction of the interchange due to increased accessibility to the community; VOPH has also committed funding towards the project. While Pasco County is part of the Tampa Urban Area (TUA), there are also portions of the County that are outside the TUA. According to the 2010 US Census, there is a population of 43,990 or 9.5% in rural Pasco County. The project location is in close proximity to these rural areas, with the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection District being designated just north of SR 52; SR 52 at I-75 is one of the interchanges the project will relieve once constructed. This interchange has recently been reconstructed and the I-75 at Overpass Road project will provide additional relief to this location. Project Location Transportation Connections The proposed project is located approximately three and a half miles south 1.7 Million Trips of the I-75 at SR 52 interchange. I-75 is a heavily used facility which also serves traffic from the Port of Tampa, Port Everglades, the CSX Winter Per weekday are estimated to have Haven Intermodal Logistics Center and the Port of Miami. Additionally, destinations within Pasco County the project area also serves travelers for several airports including the St. and I-75 is an integral part of the Pete-Clearwater International Airport, Tampa International Airport, and network that enables these trips. Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Overpass Road, once extended to US 301, will connect to four primary state evacuation routes (SR 52, CR/SR 54, I- *Mobility 2040 Transportation Plan 75, and US 301).The design and location of the extension of Overpass Road from Old Pasco Road to US 301 was accepted by FDOT in October 2017. Along this road at I-75 is the site of the new interchange. The extension of this road crosses CR 577, CR 579, and will end in Zephyrhills at US 301. This project provides an east-west corridor connecting US 301 and I-75 which will help facilitate emergency evacuation traffic. While there are no current bicycle and pedestrian facilities along Overpass Road, the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan and the Pasco County MPO 2040 LRTP identify a planned multi-use trail along this corridor. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities will also be constructed as part of this project per the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element. The proposed interchange and Overpass Road extension are included in Pasco County’s Transit Emphasis Corridor which encourages Transit-Oriented Development principles and the use of multiple modes for residents. Overpass Road is proposed as a future transit route for the community in order to provide connectivity and mobility options for the area residents.
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Figure 1: Project Location
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Figure 2: Existing Population Density
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Figure 3: Future Population Density
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Figure 4: Existing Employment Density
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Figure 5: Future Employment Density
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SECTION III: GRANT FUNDS, SOURCES, & USES OF ALL PROJECT FUNDS The County is seeking a BUILD grant so the design and construction of the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange can be accomplished on an expedited schedule as a prospective design/build project. Discussions are on-going with FDOT for finalizing this approach, The County and FDOT recognize that a design/build delivery method will accelerate project implementation and maximize innovation, increasing the benefit of the dollars used. Project Costs The total capital costs are estimated at $63,217,800.00 2017 dollars (or $62.1 million in 2016 dollars). These costs include construction; right-of-way (ROW); Preliminary Engineering (PE); and Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI). The construction amounts include costs associated with maintenance of traffic (MOT), mobilization, and contingencies. A breakdown of the estimate can be found in the IJR online in Appendix E. Table 1 details the cost of the project by phase (also refer to SF 424C in Appendix A). Funding Commitments Pasco County will be leveraging local dollars from the municipal capacity and committed investment from FDOT in order to facilitate project implementation. The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange project has been programmed for design/permitting, ROW acquisition and construction each fiscal year since FY13/14 in the Pasco County Transportation Capital Improvement Plan. Historically, local resources have been committed for this project; currently, both local and state resources are being committed to this project. Multiple local funding sources of revenue (combined at 52.27% of the total) include $10 million from the Local Government Infrastructure Surtax (Penny for Pasco), $8.4 million from Mobility Fee Collection/Benefit District 3, $2.5 million from the Interstate/SIS Mobility Fees collected in East Pasco County, $2.2 million from Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH) Tax Increment Revenue, and $9.8 million from Tax Increment Revenue. The County has secured $15 million for this project from FDOT. A summary of these anticipated revenues is listed in Table 2.
Project Funding Sources
24.00%
52.27% 23.73%
Local (Pasco) State (FDOT) Federal (BUILD)
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Table 1: Project Costs STANDARD COST CATEGORY TOTAL PROJECT COSTS PERCENTAGE OF PROJECT COST (SCC) CODE (2017 DOLLARS) Design/ $4,682,800.00 7% Permitting ROW $12,419,600.00 20%
Construction $46,115,400.00 73%
Total $63,217,800.00 100%
Table 2: Project Funding Plan AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE (2017 Dollars) 2015 Penny for Pasco $10,027,728 Mobility Fee Collection/ $8,413,783 Benefit District 3 East Pasco SIS Mobility Fees $2,515,608 VOPH Tax Increment Revenue $2,253,436 Tax Increment Revenue $9,834,973 Florida Department of Transportation $15,000,000 BUILD $15,172,272 Total $63,217,800
Funding for the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange design/permitting, ROW acquisition and construction has been programmed each fiscal year since FY 13/14 in the Pasco County Transportation Capital Plan. Historically and continuing today, 100 percent of local resources are being programmed and committed to this project.
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SECTION IV: MERIT CRITERIA The following section demonstrates the benefits of the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange for each of the BUILD program merit criteria. The narrative establishes the need for this interchange in order to address the congestion and over-capacity conditions of this area and divert trips from the CR/SR 54 and SR 52 interchanges with I-75 while facilitating connectivity within Pasco County and the Tampa Bay region. Safety Pasco County I-75 Car Accident The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange will promote improved traffic safety by reducing congestion-related accidents. A safe transportation infrastructure is needed for this growing area and that is exactly the support this project offers. The IJR analyzed safety impacts to the proposed interchange. Measures from the report demonstrate that the interchange improves the condition of the facility associated with projected heavy westbound-to-southbound traffic. This is accomplished by a grade separation for the movement which would otherwise require left-turn movements. Also, a westbound-to-southbound flyover is to be added with a subsequent project (Phase 2). This BUILD grant application and the cost information provided is only for the initial diamond interchange described in the Project Description section. According to 2012-2016 statistics from the County Planning and Development Department, the fatality rate for crashes within Pasco County for this period was 1.66 per hundred million vehicle miles traveled. Compared against the national rate of 1.18, statewide rate of 1.32, and the 6-county Tampa regional rate of 1.36, Pasco County is much higher. According to Florida Department of Health, Pasco County’s Motor Vehicle Crash Death Rate has increased 77% over the past five years from 61 deaths in 2012 to 108 in 2017. The project area also experiences significant crash incidents at the adjacent interchanges on I-75. Table 3 provides crash details for the project area including frequency and severity for injury and property damage. Within this area, the SR 56 and I-75 interchange area has had 124 crashes and this is increased at the SR 52 and I-75 interchange area with 187 crashes. Figure 6 displays crash density in the project area based on data from 2013 to 2017. Table 3: Crash Summary by Frequency (2013 through 2017) CRASH SEVERITY SEGMENT FREQUENCY Injury Property Damage
SR 56 at I-75 5-Year 124 36 88
SR 54/CR 54 at I-75 5-Year 139 52 87
SR 52 at I-75 5-Year 187 58 129 Overpass Road from Old Pasco Road 5-Year 24 12 12 to Boyette Road
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The vehicular delays and queue lengths at the adjacent interchanges of CR/SR 54 and SR 52 are shown to significantly decrease with the implementation of this project. In the PM peak-hour direction of travel for Design Year (2040), the queue back up at CR/SR 54 northbound ramp reduces by 48 percent. During the same period, the queue back up at SR 52 northbound reduces by 35 percent. Table 4 demonstrates the differences in traffic operations for both the Build and No-Build scenarios, with delays decreasing significantly during the Build. Table 4: Design Year (2040) Traffic Operations Comparison NO-BUILD BUILD DIFFERENCE CONGESTION LOCATION Delay Delay (Build vs No-Build) EFFECT I-75 northbound ramps 178.5 120.2 -32% Positive at SR 54/CR 54 I-75 southbound ramps 344.8 210.3 -40% Positive at SR 54/CR 54 Notes: Delay is expressed in sec/veh. The worst case among a.m. /p.m. hours was compared for each intersection.
This project is anticipated to reduce 13.9 million VHT, resulting in $100.1 million in travel time savings over a 20-year operational period (refer to the Benefit-Cost Analysis documentation in Appendix B. The new interchange will reduce the number of crashes in addition to the costs associated with loss of life, productivity due to injury, 20-Year Total $23.4 M* and vehicle or other property damage. The project is estimated to Accident Cost Savings save $23.4 million in accident costs during a 20-year operational period (refer to the Benefit-Cost Analysis documentation in *in discounted present value terms (2017$) Appendix B). Additional safety benefits derived from this interchange include enhanced incident management capabilities through providing additional detour route options and specifically, enhancing emergency management by providing additional access to I-75, one of the State of Florida’s primary evacuation routes. Currently, based on a Level B evacuation order 175,000 residents would have only SR 52 and SR 54 to use for evacuation. The new interchange provides additional access to I-75 enhancing Overpass Road’s ability to facilitate emergency evacuation. Furthermore, the latest FDOT standards and best practices will be implemented into the design and construction of this interchange to enhance safety. Full Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) systems will be provided to promote safety for road users, monitor traffic and travel conditions, and support traffic management operations. Other safety enhancements include sidewalks and bicycle lanes on both sides of the roadway and a separate multi-use path on the north side of Overpass Road. The traffic/pedestrian signals will include LED signal heads and countdown pedestrian signals that include an added display showing the number of seconds left to safely cross the street. The traffic railing on the new Overpass Road bridge will utilize single-slope concrete barriers in lieu of the F-Shape concrete barriers per FDOT Structures Design Bulletin 16- 04. During construction, the most current FDOT Standard Plans and Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) requirements will be utilized to plan, develop, design, implement, operate, enforce, and inspect all work zone related transportation management and TTC.
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Figure 6: Crash Density
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State of Good Repair The project is consistent with regional initiatives for management and operation of the transportation network. The project is appropriately capitalized and will be maintained through sustainable and ongoing maintenance led by FDOT and supported by the County. The project is identified in the MPO’s Mobility 2040 LRTP, as well as the County’s list of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) with funding already provided for the completed IJR and the PD&E Study for Overpass Road. These planning products ensure proper performance of the interchange by the incorporation of several performance measures and objectives including:
Increase in the total Protect and enhance state investment allocated to of good repair for the 9.6% preserving the existing Mobility 2040 transportation system roadway network by 2040 Performance Objective
Approved and planned developments in the area have been integrated into the travel demand forecasting for the IJR. The proposed interchange has been previously shown as a needed improvement as part of the Pasadena Hills Area Plan and other Development of Regional Impact (DRI) and Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) projects. The interchange is expected to improve access to these land uses and the Wesley Chapel area of Pasco County. It is also consistent with the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan. Support from these activities and further coordination with other priority projects will also help with future sustainability of the system. This project will improve the condition of the existing transportation facilities and systems by relieving congestion at the adjacent interchanges. This will lead to improved safety and enhanced system resiliency. If left unimproved, the adjacent interchanges degrade future mobility in the area, constrain access to a key activity center and rural community, and reduce the efficiency of the transportation network. Additionally, the project’s investment maintains a strong residual value when considering a useful life of 50 years for the structure. The residual value of the structure and ROW in place in 2042 is projected to be worth $42.3 million, or $8.3 million in present value terms.
Economic Competitiveness Figure 7: Map of Interchange and Market Areas This project provides enhanced access for the region’s visitors and local workforce to growing economic opportunities in the East Pasco County area. The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange sits in strategic proximity to four market areas of Pasco County including the Gateway Crossings, The Midlands, The Highlands, and Countryside as displayed in Figure 7. The project facilitates and guides growth for each of these markets. Gateway Crossings: Wesley Chapel Pasco County’s Gateway Crossing Market serves as the entry point into the County, and has experienced major growth as part of the County’s urban service area. The interchange is located in the upper boundary of this market and completion of the project in a timely, innovative, and cost-efficient manner will further enable economic development to be advanced on at least two sites in the vicinity of the new interchange including the Connected City and Industrial Park.
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East Pasco County Photos The development of the Connected City and the Industrial Park will be significant economic drivers for this area and Pasco County. According to the Pasco County Economic Overview performed by Chmura Economics & Analytics, if nothing is done, over the next five years, employment in Pasco County is projected to expand by 8,368 jobs. County officials are pursuing aggressive measures in order to increase this number by at least 50 percent and come closer to the County’s goal to diversify the economy. An example of related steps is rescinding transportation concurrency County-wide. The long-term effects of this decision will result in a significant increase of residential, commercial, industrial, and employment land uses, which this new interchange will support. Preliminary economic impact modeling (using the IMPLAN model) conducted by Pasco County has estimated that at full build-out of both Connected Cities and the Pasco Industrial Park, a total of 28,231 new direct and indirect jobs will be created, contributing $954,000,000 in annual payroll, and contributing nearly $1.4 billion in annual gross regional product in the County. Highlands: Zephyrhills The Highlands Market is situated in east central Pasco County, where the City of Zephyrhills is located. This community benefits from east-west access to Wesley Chapel and to I-75. Additionally, this access assists with the County’s efforts to capitalize on the Zephyrhills’s Municipal Airport and develop the community as an activity center. Countryside: Rural North East Communities Just to the north of the project location is Pasco County’s Countryside market. Primarily rural with abundant agricultural lands and natural resources, the County focuses on balancing growth in this area with mutually supportive uses. This is done to protect the rural character of the area under the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District. The interchange project will assist cities, such as historic San Antonio, St. Leo, and Dade City, maintain safe access via the Scenic Roadway Corridor SR 52. Additionally, within this area TECO energy has plans to develop a 300 acre solar farm. Decongesting the SR 52 via the development of the Overpass Road interchange allows improved access for the planned solar farm and also travelers seeking access to rural communities.
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Montetized Travel Time and Vehicle Operating Cost Benefits Using the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Model (TBRPM), travel time savings were calculated resulting in benefits for the area and 20-Year Savings possibly the region. Travel time savings, as measured by Vehicle Hours Traveled (VHT), amount to 13.9 million over the 20-year Travel Time Savings benefits timeframe, with 98% of savings attributed to automobile users. These travel time savings are valued at $286.2 million, or 13.9 M Vehicle Hours Saved $100.1 million in discounted terms. Cost Saved Vehicle operating cost savings are also a significant benefit of $100.1 M implementing this project. This is represented in Vehicle Miles Vehicle Operating Cost Savings Traveled (VMT) using data from TBRPM. Reductions in VMT are Vehicle Miles Saved expected to total 176.4 million (20-year aggregation), with the vast 176.4 M majority of these reductions accrued to passenger vehicle users. $24.4 M Cost Saved The resulting vehicle operating costs savings are anticipated to total *in discounted present value terms (2017$) $69.1 million, or $24.4 million in present value terms.
Environmental Protection Pasco County considers the area’s pristine environment a top priority, and will mitigate unnecessary impacts throughout the life of this project. While this interchange project is required to meet transportation needs and serve new and attractive communities, the County will ensure that the asphalt footprint is minimized and environmental and wildlife protection is maximized. Direct Environmental Impacts Avoided The project underwent extensive environmental review as part of the PD&E and IJR efforts. The IJR concluded a diamond interchange design produces one of the lowest environmental impacts in the area. Furthermore, the project is on a designated hurricane evacuation route and will be designed to be resilient against natural disasters. The newly-constructed portions of the project will be graded to ensure runoff from the roadway, multi-use trail, and sidewalk will be collected by roadside curb and gutter drainage structures. The roadside gutters will convey collected runoff through a series of curb inlets and stormwater culverts, ultimately discharging into detention ponds. Also, the improved quality of the bridges and roadway will minimize future maintenance needs. There are incidences of federal and state listed Cypress Creek Preserve species in the project area. However, based on the findings and commitments contained in the Wetland Evaluation and Biological Assessment Report, the proposed project was determined to either not affect or is not likely to adversely affect any state or federal listed plant species nor will it affect any designated Critical Habitat. Florida Wildlife Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the findings and effect determinations as presented. The proposed project would also contribute to environmental protection through reductions in air pollution and CO2 emissions. Pasco County, Florida, is an area currently designated by the US Environmental Protection Agency as being in attainment for all of the criteria air pollutants. Because the project is in an attainment area and the project would reduce congestion, it is not likely that the proposed improvements will have an impact on local or regional air pollutant/pollutant precursor emissions or concentrations.
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For carbon monoxide impacts, estimates of CO concentrations were predicted at default receptor locations along each leg of the intersection. Based on the results from the screening model, the highest predicted CO one- and eight-hour concentrations would not exceed the NAAQS for this pollutant regardless of intersection, alternative, or year of analysis. Therefore, the project “passes” the screening test for carbon monoxide. Indirect Environmental Protection Efforts Pasco County currently contains approximately 3,482 acres of preservation and conservation areas. The interchange does not directly impact any of these conservation areas. However, there are areas in proximity to the adjacent interchanges which this project provides relief. The Connor Preserve, managed by Southwest Florida Water Management District, is located west of the I-75 and SR 52 interchange. It is 2,980 acres of prairie land, lakes, marsh areas, cypress and wildlife. The Cypress Creek Conservation Area is located at the intersection of I-75 and SR 54 and is 255 acres of cypress creek, swamp, freshwater marsh, and mixed hardwood-conifer. This area is one of Pasco County’s Ecological Corridors which is an aggressive effort to protect and conserve natural areas in the County. The Overpass Road Interchange will provide congestion relief to these adjacent interchanges, effectively reducing air pollution impacts to these environmental areas. Monetized Environmental Benefits The new interchange also projects emission cost savings. These savings are expected to be close to $200 thousand annually, $1.6 M 20-Year Total totaling $3.7 million over the 20-year operations timeframe (before Emissions Cost Savings discounting), or $1.6 million after discounting. They include savings related to carbon dioxide and the other four common air *Discounted (in 2017$) pollutants. Quality of Life Quality of life will be improved with the construction of this project with resulting benefits such as improved connectivity and mobility. The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange will provide efficient and reliable mobility to this fast growing segment of Pasco County. It will provide the level of service demanded by the new and cutting edge communities it will serve such as Connected Cities. A high level of service will include minimal travel delay and congestion and reduced commute time. Park Space Access: Wesley Chapel District Park According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), access to parks has been demonstrated to promote physical activity, community engagement, and improved mental health. Pasco County in general has a 63.7% rate of adults who are inactive or insufficiently active. This is higher than the State of Florida average which is 56.7%. Additionally, the Pasco County rate for average number of unhealthy mental days in the past 30 days is 4.3%, also higher than the State of Florida rate of 3.6%. This project will enable improved access to the Wesley Chapel District Park, which is located at the new Cypress Creek Middle/ High School Track interchange intersection. This 143.6-acre park offers residents various amenities including athletic fields and courts, a 1.6-mile fitness trail, exercise areas, and picnic tables/grills. The park is home to the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association which manages youth sport leagues. High School & Middle School Access This project enables improved access to the area’s secondary school facilities. There are currently five public schools located in proximity to the project area including Wesley Chapel Elementary School, Watergrass Elementary School, Thomas E. Weightman Middle School, Wesley Chapel High School, and the newly
17 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grant – FY2018 PASCO COUNTY I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange constructed Cypress Creek Middle/High School (constructed to relieve area school overcrowding). Cypress Creek Middle/High School is approximately one mile from the proposed interchange, and is anticipated to draw regional traffic due to construction of an eight-lane track to be used for track and field events and a new auditorium for public use. Current access to these schools is limited to local roads and the congested interchange of SR 54. The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange facilitates easier access to these institutions. Access to More Transportation Network Choices The project improves access for transit users due to the transit route planned for Overpass Road, as detailed in the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan and the Pasco County MPO 2040 LRTP. The project will also create bicycle and pedestrian facilities, which do not currently exist along Overpass Road. This will include a 10-foot multi-use trail on the north side of Overpass Road from Boyette Road to the eastern terminus. There is also a planned multi-use trail throughout the Overpass Road Corridor per the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan and Pasco County MPO 2035 LRTP. As such, this trail is anticipated to be constructed as part of the overall Overpass Road project. Wesley Chapel is a growing community, and according to recent transit studies completed by Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA), this corridor is projected to have a 270% population increase by 2035. This increase will likely further diminish quality of life and connectivity to key facilities. Without improvements to this corridor, there will be a severe threat to the continued viability of the economy and the quality of life. User travel times will continue to increase, the movement of goods through the urban area will be slower, and the deliveries of goods within the urban area will be adversely impacted. Innovation Pasco County Connected City Rendering Innovation is infused throughout the development, administration, and partnership of the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange project. Beginning with a potential design/build approach, the County is seeking to incorporate swift, quality measures for optimizing efficiency and resources. The project design team will integrate techniques such as precast/prefabricated bridge elements and systems as an economical way for enhancing quality, reducing costs, and advancing the construction timeline. Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) is another technique to prospectively incorporate into this project. This rapid construction approach will minimize the impact to the travelling public on I-75 and Overpass Road. Investigating the use of prefabricated elements versus conventional construction helps determine the best balance between direct and indirect costs while delivering the project in a timely manner with minimal public impact. Innovative processes such as FHWA’s new initiative, “Every Day Counts,” will guide the team to accelerate project delivery. The County is receptive to any innovative options/ideas partnering with USDOT to deliver a quality project in a safe and timely fashion.
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The I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange will be the first impression connecting these innovative communities with the rest of the region. As a result, this interchange will need to enable seamless access into these developments and will require innovative accountability and performance measures. Pasco County is prepared for this by utilizing SMART goals. SMART Goals In addition to meeting County values of integrity, respect, honesty and innovation, the project team will endeavor to achieve the following SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) goals.
I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange SMART Goals
Asphalt Quality - Perform field visits on the project to minimize surface and quality deficiencies.
Asphalt Documentation - The Resident Asphalt Specialist shall review quality control and verification technicians asphalt documentation for accuracy and specification compliance, compile the lot packages and assist Project Administrators with determining Asphalt related pay quantities and adjustments.
Change Orders - Change orders prepared for assigned contracts will be in compliance with County requirements.
CEI Accountability - Perform quarterly CEI performance grades with written, meaningful comments. Perform periodic quality assurance activities to ensure CEI is performing services in accordance with the contract and adhering to the CEI established QC plan. Daily Work Reports - Prepare legible, accurate Daily Work Reports that cover all pertinent field activities and conditions.
Final Acceptance - All required processes and documents will be completed and received prior to issuance of final acceptance. Final Estimates documentation will be submitted within fifteen (15) days for streamline contracts and thirty (30) days for non-streamline contracts from final acceptance. Final Estimates - Completeness, timeliness, and procedural accuracy of Final Estimates documentation will be ensured.
QC Reviews - Quality Control Progress Field Reviews will be performed and feedback provided to project staff to ensure uniformity and best practices are followed.
Time Money - Monitoring of time and cost performance will be required and time and cost issues will be proactively addressed in order to ensure avoidable cost or time overruns.
Safety - Promote safety practices to ensure employee proficiency with concepts from Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), Contractors Maintenance of Traffic (MOT), Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Comply with reporting, accountability, training, and improvement safety measures.
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Partnership Strong collaboration will be essential during the development of the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange. Pasco County has a robust plan for providing sustainable, local funding for this project and has sought support from a variety of 23 partners including FDOT, Pasco County MPO, School Board, City of Zephyrhills, elected officials, private entities and interested parties.
Pasco County (Grant Recipient)
Pasco County is seeking receipt of a BUILD grant to fund construction of the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange. Pasco County is governed by five elected Commissioners and an appointed County Administrator, who has executive powers to implement policies and procedures set forth by the Board of County Commissioners. The County government oversees a billion dollar budget, 2,000 employees and more than 60 departments and divisions. The County will oversee the project design, permitting, and construction.
Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization
The Pasco County MPO has been strategic in the prioritization of the Overpass Road Interchange. The project was included in the Mobility 2040 Transportation Plan and also in the Pasco County MPO 2035 Cost- Affordable LRTP as a roadway improvement.
Florida Department of Transportation
FDOT has been closely involved in the development and progression of this project. The Department was involved in the completion of both the IJR and PD&E Study, along with FHWA. Staff from FDOT provided guidance throughout the process and officially endorsed the project in 2016. FDOT has committed $15 million towards the financing of the construction.
Wildcat Groves, Inc.
Wildcat Groves, Inc. is a developer seeking to turn 111 acres of current agricultural land in the northeast quadrant of the interchange into a commercial employment center complete with business and professional offices, retail, apartments, and multi-family housing. Wildcat Groves, Inc. fully supports the construction of the interchange in order to provide better access to these new facilities. Based on dialogue with Pasco County, Wildcat Groves, Inc. is expected to donate approximately 46 acres of ROW located east and west of I-75 as part of a prospective development agreement in order to accommodate the new interchange project. The total list of partners for the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange include the following: FDOT Congressmen Gus M Bilirakis & Wildcat Groves Master Suntech Investments, Inc. FHWA Daniel Webster Planned Unit Development Elizabeth Rodriguez & Pasco County Schools Senators Bill Nelson & Marco Crown Community Associates City of Zephyrhills Rubio Development Adrian Phillip Overpass, Greater Zephyrhills Sonny’s Appliances Freemarr Development, Inc. LLC Chamber of Commerce Metro Development Group Dairy Farm Corporation Massey Partners, LTD Town of St. Leo North Tampa Bay Chamber of Pasco County MPO Pasco County Board of Commerce County Commissioners Partner support letters are included in Appendix C.
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Non-Federal Revenue for Transportation Infrastructure Pasco County will be receiving funding from FDOT and is expected to receive donated ROW for construction of the project from private developers via development agreements with the County. Securing remaining funding sources are considered a high priority for the County for current and future costs. While the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange will provide access to areas of economic development and growth for the region, the interchange facility itself is not anticipated to produce any new revenue streams in terms of tolling. A $15.1 million BUILD award will enable $63.2 million dollars in infrastructure spending; in other words, every federal dollar spent will leverage $3.2 dollars in non-federal spending. Results of the Benefit-Cost Analysis - Summary All monetary values are expressed in 2017 dollars. The period of analysis used to estimate benefits and costs related to the differences between the Build (with the proposed interchange) and the No-Build (without the interchange) runs from 2019 to 2042, including four years of construction (2019-2022) and 20 years of operation (2023 through 2042). The analysis assumes that the growth rates in the regional travel demand, in terms of vehicle hours traveled (VHT) and vehicle miles traveled (VMT), projected between the opening year and 2040 (the horizon year used in the regional travel demand model) would continue through 2042. Table 5 summarizes the results of the benefit-cost analysis. Table 5: Benefit-Cost Analysis – Summary Results (in millions of 2017 dollars) BENEFIT AND COST METRICS 2019-2042 TOTALS PROJECT BENEFITS DISCOUNTED AT 7% BEFORE DISCOUNTING Travel Time Savings $100.1 $286.2 Vehicle Operating Cost Savings $24.4 $69.1 Emission Savings (Carbon) $0.6 $1.7 Emission Savings (non-Carbon) $0.9 $2.0 Safety $23.4 $66.4 Residual Value $8.3 $42.3 Total Benefits $157.8 $467.7 PROJECT COSTS Capital $53.2 $63.2 O&M Costs $0.8 $2.1 Total Project Costs $54.1 $65.3 Total Benefits less Total Costs (NPV) $103.7 N/A Benefit-Cost Ratio 2.95 Internal Rate of Return 18.3% Breakeven Year 2030 * The Benefit-Cost Ratio was calculated as: (Benefits – O&M Costs) / Capital Costs, in compliance with the latest BCA Guidance for Discretionary Grant Programs.
As shown in Table 5, with a 7 percent real discount rate, the total monetizable benefits of the proposed interchange project are projected at $157.8 million (in present discounted value terms) while the total costs of the project (including capital expenses and incremental operating and maintenance costs) are forecast at $54.1 million. This results in a benefit-cost ratio of 2.95, and a net present value (NPV) of $103.7 million. The corresponding internal rate of return (IRR) of the project is projected at 18.3 percent, while the breakeven year would be 2030.
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A sensitivity analysis with respect to the discount rate was conducted. With a 3 percent real discount rate, the project’s benefit-cost ratio increases to 4.85, the NPV rises to $225.4 million, while the breakeven year moves to 2028. Table 6 below presents the breakdown of total benefits by category, using the five key outcome criteria set forth by USDOT: State of Good Repair, Economic Competitiveness, Quality of Life, Environmental Protection, and Safety. Table 6: BCA Results by Long-Term Outcome (in millions of 2017 dollars, present value terms) LONG-TERM OUTCOMES BENEFIT CATEGORY RESULTS (7% DISCOUNT RATE) State of Good Repair Residual value of capital investment $8.3 Travel time savings to roadway users $100.1 Vehicle operating cost savings to $24.4 Economic Competitiveness roadways users Jobs creation Qualitative Improved land access Qualitative Quality of Life Improved jobs access Qualitative Environmental Protection Emission cost savings $1.6 Safety Accident cost savings $23.4 Total Project Benefits $157.8
User benefits for travelers in the region (travel time savings and vehicle operating cost savings) account for a large majority of the total monetizable benefits of the project, and are included in the economic competitiveness category. Safety benefits can be expected to be the second largest broad category of benefits generated by this project, followed by residual value (state of good repair), and environmental protection. Although not quantified in this application, the project is also expected to result in job creation, and improved access to developable land, as well as job opportunities, leading to improved quality of life. Details pertaining to the methodology, assumptions, and additional results pertaining to the BCA of this project are presented in Appendix B.
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SECTION V: PROJECT READINESS Technical Feasibility Pasco County and the project partners have extensive experience with the planning and implementation of interchange projects, especially with two major corridors, I-75 and SR 589 (Suncoast Parkway/Veterans Expressway) being located within County boundaries. The interchange design is consistent with FDOT and FHWA current policies and technical standards. Additionally, the project is being constructed in coordination with the road segments of the extension Overpass Road from Old Pasco Road to US 301, allowing for a more efficient process. Of the four interchange quadrants, the County owns the right-of-way on the SE quadrant and is currently in dialogue with developers of the NE and NW quadrants regarding expected ROW donations; residential ROW impacts are limited to the SW quadrant. Engineering Engineering feasibility has been met through the completion and approval of an Interchange Justification Report (IJR). An IJR is required if a roadway project proposes a new interchange on a limited access facility, or highway, such as I-75. The processes to be utilized for an IJR are defined by FDOT and the purpose of the review is to demonstrate the need for the project as well as its viability based on traffic, engineering, financial, and other criteria. Additionally, FHWA regulates the addition of access points, or interchanges, along the Interstate System. To be compliant, a project must meet the following requirements:
The existing system, even with reasonable improvements, cannot satisfactorily accommodate the projected design year traffic demands; All reasonable alternatives to a new interchange must be considered, including ramp metering, mass transit, and HOV facilities; The proposed interchange does not have a significant adverse impact on the operations and safety of the interstate nor on the local street network based on both the current and future traffic projections; The proposed project provides a full interchange with all traffic movements connecting to a public road; The proposed project considered and is consistent with local and regional land use and transportation plans; The proposed project is consistent with long-range systems or network plans; The proposed project is coordinated with the area's development; and The proposed interchange will be included as an alternative in the required environmental evaluation, review and processing. The IJR was approved by FHWA and FDOT (July 2014), which indicates that the project is acceptable for engineering and operations.
Previous planning efforts leading up to the development of this project began in 2003 Interchange Concept Benefits: when Pasco County initiated the Overpass Road Route Study to evaluate capacity and Satisfies long-range planning objectives of safety improvement alternatives for Overpass 1 Road and connecting roads. The Comprehensive Plan and LRTP recommendations were to support a locally Reduces congestion on adjacent interchanges by preferred alternative and this was approved 2 13,000 vehicles per day by the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners on April 26, 2005. Pasco Utilizes existing ROW to maximize extent feasible, County then completed an Interchange 3 reducing impacts to residents & ROW acquisition costs Feasibility Study in 2006 and influencing these efforts, FDOT and FHWA approved the interchange as an acceptable opportunity for
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I-75 and Overpass Road with the completion of an Interchange Justification Report. The proposed interchange alternative was developed as part of the Final Overpass Road Route Study (March 2005) and reviewed for initial social, environmental, and economic impacts. This concept was also developed and refined through a series of public workshops held in Fall 2004 through Fall 2012. The concept was incorporated into the Overpass Road Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study and officially accepted by FDOT and FHWA on October 19, 2017. Financial Feasibility The total capital costs are estimated to be $63.2 million for the construction of the project which will take approximately 48 months. The financial plan calls for 24 percent BUILD funding support, with the remaining portion being funded locally by Pasco County and FDOT. Despite significant reductions in capital projects over the past several years of economic downturns, Pasco County manages a healthy annual budget devoted to transportation capital projects and has several capital projects underway during Fiscal Year 2018-2019. If approved, the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange is anticipated to be implemented through a design/build contract in order to accelerate delivery, maximize innovation and assure accountability for overall project delivery via a single design-build firm. Pasco County’s fiscal, managerial, environmental, real estate, and engineering personnel have the experience and expertise to provide strong project management and implementation of BUILD funded projects. However, the County understands it will be responsible for all cost overruns that may occur. Additionally, the County will ensure compliance with state agreements regarding expenditure of state funds, reporting, and audits. Assessment of Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies This project has already gone through extensive review and is anticipated to face minimal risks. If risks arise, Pasco County has an award winning administration and management team prepared to respond rapidly and with transparency. In fact, Paso County has earned national recognition for management and administration strategies as evidenced through receipt of the 2018 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award, including honors for Implementing Best Practices in the category of County Administration and Management. In the event there are disruptions, the following risks and mitigation strategies have been identified:
Primary Risk Mitigation Strategies Pre-Construction Delays: ROW All project tasks including PD&E, design and ROW acquisition will be acquisition, project design, necessary completed prior to construction. Once construction funds become environmental reviews, approvals available, design-build contracting is anticipated for this program to expedite project delivery. Construction Delays The design/build construction method is optimal in order to mitigate construction delays before they occur and minimize contractor claims and delays during construction. Grant Administration/Management Pasco County will adhere to a clear grant administration plan which identifies defines management tasks, funding and non-funding partner roles, and coordination for optimal oversight, including a strategic documentation process.
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Schedule Should a BUILD grant be awarded for this project, the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange will follow a schedule comprised of four major tasks with construction beginning in Fall 2020 and 100 percent completion by Fall 2022. Following the award notification, the four major tasks include initiating the administration plan, dispersing the BUILD grant funds, procurement of a design-build firm (anticipated), and construction of the project. Table 7 shows the schedule activities for the program. Table 7: Project Schedule Project Activity 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Completion of NEPA Design-Build* Procurement Design Starts Right of Way Acquisition BUILD Grant Funds Obligated Construction Starts Project Open *Design-Build Delivery is the preferred approach pending final agreement by Pasco County and FDOT. Required Approvals NEPA Approval During the PD&E study for the proposed I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange, Pasco County submitted an EA FONSI, which has already been approved, and LDCA granted by FDOT Office of Environmental Management (OEM). The County received approval/LDCA October 19, 2017. Documentation of this approval can be found in Appendix E. Permitting To properly implement this project the following permits have been identified:
US Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permit Southwest Florida Water Management District Environmental Resource Permit Pasco County ROW Use Permit Florida Department of Transportation ROW Use Permit All required permits will be secured during the design phase of the project. Any local permits required will be prioritized and expedited. Public Involvement Overpass Road Public Meeting This project has already engaged the public on multiple occasions beginning in 2004. The combined project effort includes three public workshops and one public hearing, which was held on December 15, 2016. Additionally, newsletters have been distributed periodically throughout the life of the project and a website was created for the Overpass Road project in which the interchange portion is included. The public is able to submit comments online to provide further feedback.
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Additional Approvals The project has already received approval from regional transportation planning agencies. Pasco County and the MPO have identified the I-75 and Overpass Road Interchange project as the number one priority project in Pasco County in the 2017 List of Priority Projects, approved on July 13, 2017. The project is also included in the MPO Mobility 2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Plan (refer to Figure 8). Figure 8: Pasco County Mobility 2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Projects
Figure 8: Pasco County Mobility 2040 LRTP Cost Feasible Projects
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Federal Wage Rate Certification Please refer to the online Appendix A for a copy of the Federal Wage Rate Certificate.
Pasco County in Action
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APPENDICES https://www.pascocountyfl.net/3243
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Deborah Bolduc, AICP Program Administrator Engineering Services Administration 8731 Citizens Dr., Suite 320 New Port Richey, FL 34654 [email protected] Ph: (727) 847-8140, ext. 8756
Kevin Sumner Sr. Project Manager Project Management Sunset Building 5418 Sunset Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 [email protected] Ph: (727) 834-3604, ext. 1621