WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman John L. Mica (7th District-R) announced that key highway and trail projects in Seminole County have cleared the first hurdle with passage of a major highway bill today in the House of Representatives.  Projects that received preliminary approval include both a Connector Ramp to the I-4/GreeneWay Interchange and the Eastern Connector.

“This legislation provides critical funding that will advance construction on major transportation and infrastructure projects both in our region and nationally,” Mica stated.

The federal assistance is included in the “Transportation Efficiency Act – Legacy for Users” legislation, a bill that identifies highway projects that will be eligible for federal funding for the next six years.  Mica is Florida’s senior member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which drafted the legislation, and also serves as Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee.

The transportation bill also determines the distribution of federal gas tax funds for each state.  While Florida gains a net increase in highway funds, Rep. Mica is leading an effort to increase Florida’s overall rate of return from the Highway Trust Fund, which could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in additional revenue for highway and mass transit needs.

The Senate has also passed a major highway bill which does not identify specific projects.  In the coming months, differences between the two proposals must be reconciled through a House-Senate Conference Committee.

Funds will be available for up to six years and will be distributed through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the following projects that were approved in the House bill:

Connector Ramp to I-4/GreeneWay Interchange:  $5 million                                           This project is considered a priority by MetroPlan Orlando but has not yet been included in FDOT’s Five-Year Work Program.  As a fourth leg of a major interchange at I-4 and the GreeneWay, the new connector ramp would serve as the final component of a $94.4 million State/Federal project to provide the Orlando Metropolitan Area with an Eastern Beltway.           

The $5 million given preliminary approval covers the total cost of the project.  Design and engineering should be completed within one year, rights-of-way will be donated and construction will be performed within the following two years.

Eastern Connector:  $1 million 
This proposed throughway in East Central Florida would connect the GreeneWay in Seminole County to I-95 somewhere between Port Orange and Edgewater in Volusia County, providing an east-west alternative to I-4 & U.S. 17-92.           

The funds would permit FDOT to perform a review of the merits and feasibility of an Eastern Connector.  Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise considered a similar route proposal several years ago.