Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/194514
Sarasota News Leader October 18, 2013 Page 54 it possible for staff to bring up the new over- Patterson agreed with Barbetta: "I also get the pass proposal, too. impression this will be a very difficult project Commissioner Christine Robinson told Paul to stop." that during a recent meeting of the Sarasota/ Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, almost all the county representatives voiced concern about the diverging diamond proposal, and "in no uncertain terms, [FDOT officials] told us, 'We're going forward; we don't really care.'" According to Hattaway, Patterson said, traffic backs up routinely at the University Parkway interchange off I-75, "and that's without the development that's coming." "Your experience in Gainesville is very good," Vice Chairman Charles Hines told Paul, given As FDOT pushes forward with its proposal, the fact that 90,000 to 100,000 people come Paul said, staff would provide regular updates into that city almost every other Saturday during the fall for University of Florida footto the County Commission. ball games. "I don't think they're pushing," Robinson Once Benderson Park begins hosting major replied. "They're driving a Mack truck." national and international rowing events, "They have no funding for it," Paul told her. Hines continued, one highway accident One revenue source FDOT is considering is could create significant problems in that area making part of I-75 a toll road, he added. because of the existing configuration of the It is up to Sarasota and Manatee counties to roads. "We have to have multiple options for tell FDOT, "We don't want our community people." looking like [what the department envisions]," Hines added, "Our board and staff really need Paul continued. to let DOT know our feelings." "Jonathan, it is refreshing to hear your concern about the University Parkway interchange," When Paul then suggested he could plan a forCommissioner Joe Barbetta said. "But I can mal discussion about the subject for the next tell you right now, [based on the discussion set of commission meetings, so the board at the last MPO meeting], the train's left the could draft a letter to FDOT, Robinson made station." that a motion. Barbetta seconded it. Barbetta added that the diverging diamond The motion passed unanimously. proposal was especially troubling to him because the closest one is in Atlanta. The County Commission will meet on Oct. "It's a dream for them," he said of FDOT engi- 22 and 23 at the Administration Center neers. "But the answers [they provided during on Ringling Boulevard in Sarasota. The presentations] didn't make you feel confident Sarasota News Leader was unable to ascerabout it," he pointed out. "We're the guinea tain for certain, prior to deadline, whether pig. If we're not going to do this, we better an agenda item had been scheduled for one stop it right away." of those days. %