As the data collected by myregion.org continues to be analyzed, it becomes more and more evident that Central Florida is highly dependent on its toll-road system to provide the needed freeway infrastructure for urban growth. Our toll highways are unique, both in number and extent, linking nearly all of Central Florida's primary economic centers together.
Traffic congestion and the lack of a mass-transit alternative are two of the most critical issues affecting our region, according to myregion.org’s Transportation workshop participants. No other issue seemed to have more immediate regional impact than transportation as government, business, institutional leaders and citizens continuously voiced their opinions and concerns at the two sessions of Community Issues Workshops held earlier this year.
Keeping up with Central Florida's regional transportation needs has become a priority for Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty. Last week, on September 25, he led the first of 11 transportation committee meetings designed to address this issue.
Although the group was split into subcommittees that deal with everything from rail options to land use—widening and improving I-4—the region's transportation backbone—took center stage.
The Commission will meet weekly on a range of key transportation issues until December 18, when it will present its final report to Chairman Crotty. Chairman Crotty will present recommendations, with the final report to the Orange County Commission on January 7.
Three members of myregion.org’s Leadership Council, Lonnie C. Bell, Agere Systems; Orlando L. Evora, Greenberg Traurig, P. A. and John C. Hitt, University of Central Florida; serve on the Commission, which is chaired by Former Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick. Other Commission members are Patricia J. Engfer, Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport and Percy R. Luney, Jr., Florida A&M University College of Law.
Former Board Members include Raiza Tamayo, American Paving Contractors Inc., and myregion.org’s Executive Committee and Leadership Council member; Rita Bornstein, Rollins College; George W. Koehn, SunTrust Bank, Central Florida; Derrick D. Wallace, President/CEO, Construct Two Group; and Richard J. Walsh, Darden Restaurants, Inc.
The group has one year to complete its recommendations and it will not be easy. METROPLAN ORLANDO, the regional transportation agency, says the area is $5 billion short of meeting its transportation needs over the next 20 years. The Commission has already gained wide support. Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood said she is excited about cooperating with the commission and helping it find money.
myregion.org is examining how our transportation system functions and how our region fits into national and global transportation patterns. If you want to view the Transportation Workshop notes, log onto our Web site at www.myregion.org.
