LO will pay $100,000 of bypass bill

Local News

Discussion

June 12, 2009

By Jeff Waters, Democrat Reporter

The Live Oak City Council voted Tuesday to spend $100,000 on a bypass road between US 90 and US 129 in northeastern Suwannee County.

Suwannee County Economic Alliance President Dennis Cason and Tim Alcorn, who is working with him on the project, made a presentation on the project at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Cason said the bypass road would reduce congestion in the city as well as spur economic growth. He said routing truck traffic away from the city would also make Live Oak streets safer.

The Florida Department of Transportation has agreed to pay more than $4 million on the project in the form of a grant, if the legislature approves. Local government would be responsible for only one-tenth that amount. The county’s share will be $300,000, which, combined with the city’s contribution, would be used to purchase rights-of-way and for permitting. Cason recently made the same presentation to the county commission, but said he wanted to present the idea to the city before formally requesting any money.

City council president John Hale said the bypass road would be of great benefit to all concerned.

“I think it would be very good for the community,” Hale said Thursday. “I think it will reduce traffic congestion and help with downtown revitalization.”

City attorney Erny Sellers also endorsed the project.

“This to me is a win-win situation,” he said at Tuesday’s meeting. “It’s a public safety project.”

The city will fund the project over a two-year period. Cason will appear before the county commission at a later date to request the county’s share of the funds.

If approved, the bypass road will run from 72nd Trace, next to Lowe’s, to the industrial park on US 90 east, near 101st Road.