EVACUATION ROUTE IN FLORIDA GETS RECONSTRUCTED

[Political Tiger]

The Florida Department of Transportation is using $16 million in Recovery Act funds to finish the long-awaited reconstruction of the 18-mile hurricane evacuation route from Key Largo to Florida City.

The funds are underwriting work on a 3-mile segment of U.S. Route 1. The 70-year-old stretch of highway has a long history of accidents that include head-on collisions. The shoulder lanes northbound are being widened to increase emergency evacuation capacity and a median barrier is being added. When completed the highway will also include a one-mile passing lane and the driving lanes will be expanded to 12-feet.

In order to prevent flooding during a hurricane, drainage pipes are being laid under the road pavement to carry run-off.

The FDOT said that the entire project also includes efforts to accommodate and protect area wetlands and endangered wildlife. An under-the-road culvert is being constructed for wildlife to cross from one side of U.S. 1 to the other, and fences are being installed to prevent wildlife from wandering onto the road itself.

http://www.recovery.gov/News/featured/Pages/FloridaUS1.aspx

[ixion]

1. That's good news.

That little stretch of road is a white-knuckle drive.