The Florida Department of Transportation has included Cedar Key in its sights for the next several years and elaborated on their plans at a recent meeting.
District Two of FDOT covers the north central part of Florida, including Levy County, and has approved the following construction projects for the near term: replacement of the bridge to the airport over Daughtry Bayou, replacement of the bridge to the airport over Lewis Pass, replacement of the bridge to Dock Street, repairs to the #3 Channel bridge, as well as, various airport runway and support projects.
In addition, FDOT has indicated that there is funding for a pedestrian/cycling or "sidewalk" project between the #3 and #4 bridges on State Road 24 coming into Cedar Key. The City of Cedar Key Commission has generally been supportive of that project, too.
On Thursday, November 29, 2012, FDOT held its Five Year Work Program hearing for 12 of its 18 counties (including Levy) to receive public input or inquiries on transportation projects that are approved or pending at its Lake City office. Several Cedar Key residents were in attendance and had a number of questions. Jordan Greene, District Engineer, was able to answer most of them.
For most of the Cedar Key projects, the FDOT will oversee the design and construction themselves, because most or all of the funding falls entirely within their right-of-way or jurisdiction. But, for the sidewalk project, there is considerable discretion and fluidity moving forward. Other key points include:
* The Florida Department of Transportation believes that the City of Cedar Key has formally approved this project.
* The Florida DOT would prefer to build this sidewalk/pathway on the eastern/southern side of SR 24 as they own more of the right-of-way on this side of the road. But this would likely require crosswalks (or more crosswalks) across SR 24 than other alternatives.
* The Florida DOT grant under which this potential project would be constructed is not allowed to purchase any right-of-way property, but the Department is allowed to accept donations of right-of-way property by affected/interested owners.
* The City of Cedar Key retains substantial say over the design and implementation of the project, but these matters should be settled before the finalization of the project plans or contrac, if possible. Additionally, the City could reject the project at any stage of design or negotiation.
* The Florida DOT "Plans and Preparation Manual" provides all of the detailed DOT specifications for sidewalk/pathway projects, is available on online, and controls what physical and safety requirements are mandated for various project designs: sidewalks, boardwalks, bikeways, etc. * After safety, another important consideration by the FDOT when designing facilities for pedestrians and bicycles is the environment. First would be the avoidance of any environmental destruction. The next consideration would be minimization of damage to the environment. And lastly would be environmental mitigation.
* The Florida DOT staff members have not yet determined the design and specifications for the potential "sidewalk" between Bridget #3 and #4, are open to various suggestions or configurations, including non-hardened options like boardwalks or bikeways, and await further communication from the City and from the firm chosen to represent the City in the "sidewalk" project.
* Mr. Jordan Green and members of his staff are available to visit the City of Cedar Key to assist or clarify or explain Department of Transportation policies and procedures in a workshop or other desired format.
You can find more information online at: dot.state.fl.us. | 
