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Last update: August 2010


Progress continues on the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study which the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting for the proposed Gulf Coast Parkway. This new roadway would connect US 98 in Gulf County with US 231 in Bay County (north of Panama City). The proposed roadway would also provide a tieback to US 98 in Springfield to provide a bypass around Tyndall Air Force Base. A link to the schedule of the project is provided in the area to the left.

The FDOT held two Alternative Alignment Public Meetings for the project on October 15th (Bay County) and October 20th (Gulf County) to provided an update of the project's progress to the public. Reference material from this meeting is provided in the area to the left. Public comments and feedback received from the public will be used to assist in the selection of the preferred alignment.

At the Alternative Alignment Public Meetings five (5) alignments were presented to the public. These five alignments provide a detailed estimate of the alternative options for the placement of the roadway footprint (known as right-of-way). Since that meeting the FDOT has continued to work with the Federal Highway Administration and the resource agencies to complete the Draft Environmental Impact Statement in order to hold the project’s Public Hearing.

At this time it is estimated that the Public Hearing will be held in late 2010 or the beginning of 2011. For an updated project schedule please see the SCHEDULE link at the left of the page.

THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE MAP
This map displays the Project Area of the Gulf Coast Parkway, from US 98 to US 231. By clicking on the buttons below you can display or hide any of the proposed alignments. You can zoom using the + and – buttons or adjusting the slider. To move the map to a different area click the direction arrows, or place the cursor on the map and hold the left mouse button down to drag the map to a new location. You can search for an address by typing that address into the search box and clicking the Search button. You can also display satellite photography by clicking the Satellite button, switch back to Street Map by clicking Map, or display both by clicking Hybrid. You may return to the project area view by clicking the Project Area button.

Please keep in mind that only one of the proposed alignments, or the No-Build option, will eventually be selected.

Click to Toggle Alignments:
   
Enter your street address:

Project History:

In June 2009 the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the Corridor Alternatives Evaluation Summary Report (the report is available for review in the menu to the left). Of the twelve corridors screened in this report four were recommended to be advanced for further analysis. Also, based on regional, state, and federal agency feedback a fifth alternative option was created. Based on these results, five alternative roadway alignments (see map below) were designed for more detailed examination.

These alternative roadway alignments were developed based on the corridors and analyzed and compared for their potential involvement with the social, physical, and natural environmental surroundings.

The PD&E Study will compare the alternative roadway alignments and, with involvement from the public, help to identify the preferred alternative. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared (See the Project Schedule page for further information) to document the evaluation of alternatives and the selection of a preferred alternative for the roadway.

The Gulf Coast Parkway would provide what is essentially a missing link in the regional transportation network and would:
  • Stimulate economies within the region
  • Enhance regional mobility and hurricane evacuation
  • Increase Tyndall Air Force Base security
  • Relieve traffic congestion
The Purpose and Need document is available on the left-hand menu and lists all 9 Purpose and Need requirements that the proposed roadway is intended to satisfy.

If you have questions, please contact Rosemary Woods, Project Manager, at 850-575-1800, ext. 7891 or email her at rewoods@pbsj.com. You can also submit your comments via the internet by going to the "CONTACT" page on this website. Additionally, if you would like to be added to the project mailing list, please complete the Contact Form on this website's "CONTACT" page.