Media Release

10:35 a.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The public is invited to a meeting to discuss options for extending SW 62nd Boulevard from SR 26 (Newberry Road) to SR 24 (Archer Road.) The meeting will be held Wednesday, August 22, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m .at the auditorium of the Doyle Conner Building, located at 1911 SW 34th Street, Gainesville.

"We encourage citizens to attend the meeting to learn about the project and offer their ideas and suggestions," said Jennifer Spagnoli, the County's project manager.  "Citizens will have the opportunity to suggest alternative routes for the project," she said.

Detailed information about the project will be presented on display boards in an open house setting. Staff will be on hand to address questions and concerns. No formal presentation is planned and participants may come and go as they please at the meeting.

The SW 62nd Boulevard Connector project is a study of alternatives for a north-south connector between Archer and Newberry Roads to relieve congestion on I-75, SR 24 and SR 26 and SW 20th Avenue. This study is being funded by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This legislation included a specific item for the funding of this project for $6.5 million.  This funding is not anticipated to be sufficient to fund the construction of the connector from SR 24 to SR 26.

"A number of groups have discussed the best way to handle increased vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic in this area over the past years," said Spagnoli. "Public input is important as we study the best way to protect the quality of life within the study area and meet the needs of a growing University of Florida student population," she said.

 For more information contact Jennifer Spanoli,  Alachua County Public Works Department,  at  (352)374-5245  or e-mail her at jspagnoli@AlachuaCounty.US  Anyone attending the meeting who has special needs should contact the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office at (352)374-5275 or TDD (352)374-5284.

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