Transportation Infrastructure

Among the many challenges facing Florida’s continued economic prosperity is the threat of transportation gridlock. Much more than a quality of life issue, the development of transportation infrastructure is essential to the movement of goods and services and of the state’s workforce. Under SB 360, as passed by 2005 Legislature, transportation has become the single most problematic aspect of growth management. By applying true concurrency to all roads, future development in Florida is tied to not only the future costs, but to our backlog as well. Over the next 18 months, virtually all forms of development requiring a comprehensive plan amendment will be required to pay its fair share as well as any existing backlog before proceeding; in most cases, development will be unable to achieve such an expensive hurdle.

The expansion of businesses and population demands that infrastructure issues continue to be effectively addressed. To accomplish that goal the state must be committed to adequately fund transportation and prevent slippage in the Florida Department of Transportation’s Work Program.

In addition to addressing the impact of a thousand new residents moving into the state each day, the Florida Legislature must catch up by dealing with a backlog of infrastructure needs amounting to nearly $25 billion. Investment should also be made in the technologies of the future to build intelligent transportation systems. However, the Florida Legislature will need to be committed to the programs and plans being developed to address the state’s transportation backlog and will be challenged to find creative and innovative ways to prevent a potentially disastrous degradation of the state’s transportation infrastructure.

Unfortunately, local governments are limited in their ability to deal with the type of transportation problems that do not recognize city or county borders. A more regional perspective is required to effectively keep up with future demands. Currently, that type of organizational approach is too limited, or in most areas, non-existent.

Approaching transportation solutions on a regional basis can have many advantages, including more comprehensive planning capabilities, the expanded opportunity to develop large scale partnerships with both public and private entities, and increasing the likelihood of federal recognition and federal financial support. It also increases chances that transit efforts are planned in an area-wide multi-modal model fashion, which will achieve maximum utilization. These regional transportation authorities should be governed by boards that include a combination of both public and business community representatives.