Inside the push to speed up the project known as I-4 Ultimate in Central Florida—the $2.3 billion would tear down and rebuild 40 miles of the interstate.
Anjali Fluker reports that U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-Florida) is pushing to move forward with a $2.3 billion "revamp" of Interstate 4 in Central Florida. Namely, Rep. Mica recently "hosted a meeting at the Orlando office of MetroPlan Orlando to discuss with local officials and interested parties how to push ahead on the next $2 billion phase of I-4 Ultimate."
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working with HTNB Corps on the study for the project. According to Fluker, the plan is to tear up and rebuild "40 miles of roadway from Kirkman Road in Orange County south to U.S. Highway 27 in Polk County, and from State Road 434 in Seminole County north to State Road 472 in Volusia County." More information on the proposed project is available at the FDOT's 1-4 Express website.
Rep. Mica's idea is to speed up the timeline on the estimated construction start date, from 2025 to "In the next four or five years." Fluker explains the reasoning behind the push: "Traffic congestion may be solved on the parts where the highway is revamped, but the roadways just beyond won’t be ready for that additional rush of vehicles." In Mica's own words, quoted directly in the article: "Once the I-4 Ultimate is done, just close your eyes and imagine four more lanes plus increased traffic pouring in from Kirkman Road in the next four years; you’re looking at a disastrous situation if we don’t do something about it right now…"
FULL STORY: Beyond I-4 Ultimate: Mica pushes to start $2B next phase
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.