MARION AND SUMTER COUNTIES, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public hearing regarding the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the Interstate 75 (I-75) improvements from south of State Road (S.R.) 44 to S.R. 200 on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 (In-Person), and Thursday, June 27, 2024 (Virtual), at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of this project is to reduce congestion and improve reliability on I-75 through the addition of an auxiliary lane between interchanges within the project limits.

The Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative (https://www.fdot.gov/movingfloridaforward) allowed FDOT to advance the much-needed I-75 improvements, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2025.

FDOT encourages community involvement and is offering this public hearing in an in-person and virtual format to provide more ways to participate. All attendees, regardless of which platform they choose, will receive the same information.

• In-Person Option: Participants may attend in-person by going to the Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road, Wildwood, FL 34785 on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. The in-person hearing location will open the doors at 5:30 p.m. to allow participants to view the hearing materials prior to the presentation.  The presentation will begin promptly at 6 p.m., followed by a formal public comment period.  If attending in person, please remember to follow all safety and sanitation guidelines. If you are feeling unwell, please consider attending the hearing virtually.
• Virtual Option: Interested persons may join over the Internet from a computer, tablet, or mobile device on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. For this option, advance registration is required by visiting https://bit.ly/fdotsouthhearingrsvp. Once registered, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the hearing online. The virtual hearing will open at 5:30 p.m. as an open house to allow participants to view the hearing materials prior to the presentation.  The presentation will begin promptly at 6 p.m., followed by a formal public comment period.  If using a mobile device, use the GoToWebinar app to be able to view the presentation and submit comments. If joining online, please allow adequate time to log in to view the presentation in its entirety.

Those who are unable to attend the hearing may view all materials, including the presentation, and provide comments through the project website at https://www.cflroads.com/project/452074-2. You may also contact FDOT Project Manager Stephen Browning directly by phone at (386) 943-5422 or email at Stephen.Browning@dot.state.fl.us.

A copy of the draft project documents will be available for public review from Wednesday, June 5, 2024 to Monday, July 8, 2024, at the following locations, and on the project website:

1. Marion Oaks Public Library, 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala FL 34473 from 10a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
2. The Villages Public Library at Pinellas Park, 7375 Powell Road, Suite 100, Wildwood, FL 34785 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Melissa McKinney, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, at Melissa.McKinney@dot.state.fl.us.

Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Stephen Browning by phone at (386) 943-5422, or via email at Stephen.Browning@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated May 26, 2022, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.