The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has approved my request for a new Homestead turnpike interchange. FDOT committed to begin the Project Development and Environmental Study and to construct the interchange.
In a letter, FDOT’s Secretary, Ananth Prasad, wrote to me: “We look forward to working with you as, together, we seek to make positive contributions towards job creation and long-term opportunities for the City of Homestead.”
The new interchange will consist of a southbound exit ramp and a northbound entrance ramp at Lucy Street and the Homestead Extension of Florida’s Turnpike.
The commencement of the study and subsequent construction are dependent upon the execution of contracts for the development of adjacent properties and the willingness of the development partners to fund half the cost of the interchange.
The interchange is the result of many months of effort and numerous discussions between Governor Rick Scott and me. Governor Scott embraces and supports the project as being consistent with his policy of statewide job creation. The Governor’s aggressive job creation initiatives throughout the state moved this project forward for us.
The turnpike interchange will bring jobs during its construction and jobs from the commercial development that will occur after construction. It has been estimated that more than 1,000 jobs will be created.
I anticipate that a big-box retailer such as a Super Target and many other commercial opportunities will locate there. About 4 million persons travel to and from the Florida Keys on the turnpike in the area annually.
Our new turnpike interchange will deliver a major economic impact to our economy and will create hundreds of new jobs for our community. If we build it, they will come.
