Construction Law
$1 Billion Turnpike Project Shelved in Orange County
Orange County has lost what could have been a vital infrastructure project in the form of Colonial Parkway, a toll road that was to span a nine-mile stretch of State Road 50. This is just the latest in a string of high-profile projects that have been negatively impacted these last few months. However, this project was shelved for different reasons than expected.
In this article, we discuss why the Colonial Parkway was shelved and why this news is so unfortunate for construction companies in the region. If you’re a construction professional concerned with procuring government contracts, consult an Orland construction attorney with Cotney Attorneys & Consultants for assistance.
Benefits to the Community
As reported by the Orlando Business Journal, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, a business unit of the Florida Department of Transportation, will not be moving forward with the $1.1 Billon turnpike project. According to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise spokeswoman Angela Starke, the project was simply not feasible due to estimated project costs. A preliminary estimate revealed that project revenue would only cover 20-30 percent of project costs. It’s important to note that none of Florida Turnpike’s projects have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Related: FDOT to Accelerate Critical Infrastructure Projects Across the State
It’s a shame that this project will not be moving forward. State Road 50 is expected to be over-capacity by the year 2025, which is why Florida’s Turnpike was pursuing the project. According to Florida’s Turnpike’s website:
The proposed Colonial Parkway corridor improvements will bring many additional benefits to the community such as: reduced congestion; enhanced mobility options for longer trips; multimodal enhancements such as continuous sidewalks, bike lanes and opportunities for transit connections; improved vehicle, pedestrian and bicyclist safety; and improved evacuation and emergency response times.
Projects like these are vital to local communities — one of the many reasons why Cotney Attorneys & Consultants and its Orlando construction attorneys are so steadfast in supporting construction companies working on essential infrastructure projects in Orlando.
Related: Florida’s Construction Bidding Process
Shelved Projects Are Just One of the Many Issues Facing Construction Companies
It’s easy to forget amidst the pandemic that contractors still have to deal with all the issues that normally plague the industry, such as delays, disputes, and cancelled projects. It’s unfortunate that this turnpike problem did not come to fruition. However, there are still a number of valuable projects that can be procured in Orlando and Orange County. Securing the right to work on infrastructure projects remains as important as ever for construction companies. For assistance protesting or defending an awarded bid, the team at Cotney Attorneys & Consultants is always available to assist.
If you would like to speak with an Orlando construction attorney, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.