Tamiami Canal Historic Swing Bridge

FDOT District Six

This study is evaluating the rehabilitation/replacement of a 1921 historic, two-lane, bob-tailed swing bridge over the Tamiami Canal and roadway reconstruction along the NW South River Drive/Delaware Parkway corridor. All public involvement efforts for this project have been conducted in direct accordance with the Florida Department of Transportation’s Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Manual which fully meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other related Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations. Public involvement is one of the most important elements of the PD&E study process. Public involvement activities included:
• Kick-off meetings
• News releases
• Formation of a Citizen Advisory Committee to assemble and analyze information related to community issues and values
• Meetings with the public
• Alternatives public workshop
• Extensive coordination with local officials and federal, state and local agencies
• Visiting community gathering places and businesses to establish an open line of communication and improve public meeting attendance
• Developing attractive and easy to read newsletters to inform the community of different stages of the study
• Distributing newsletters at key places in the community and at businesses that could potentially be affected by the different alternatives
• Public hearing
Public Involvement efforts have been extensive because of the historical nature of the project and the potential impacts to the residential and business community. All communications with the public, including meetings, were provided in a bilingual format (English/Spanish).