UPDATE: Florida Axes M-CORES
SB-100 revokes parts of the M-CORES legislation
From the No Roads To Ruin Coalition Sterring Committee:
What SB 100 does and does not do:
- Eliminates the M-CORES program but not all the Roads to Ruin included in the program.
- Eliminates the Southwest-Central Florida Connector in its entirety.
- Keeps the Northern Turnpike extension on the books with a different timetable.
- Does not eliminate the threat previously presented by the M-CORES Suncoast Connector.
- Provides US-19 north from the terminus of the Suncoast Parkway to I-10 as a way to replace the M-CORES Suncoast Connector.
- Includes the M-CORES task force recommendation of avoiding conservation lands with respect to upgrades of arterial highways, but only “to the greatest extent practicable,” and not specifically to the US 19 project.
- Frees up money once earmarked for M-CORES to be available for needed road projects throughout the state.
Read the full Steering Committe statement.
While there is still more to do to protect our Environment and Florida’s natural assets, we can feel proud that the Florida legislature listened to FLVCS, the No Roads to Ruin Coalition, and others to roll back the M-CORES legislation.
Florida Veterans for Common Sense (FLVCS) calls on the State of Florida to stop its plans to construct three unneeded toll roads. FLVCS is a non-profit organization whose mission is to shape local, state, and national policies which impact veterans, their families, and the communities in which they live. So, FLVCS takes it as its duty to speak out on unnecessary roads that are unwanted and will damage the environment.
The Toll Road Plan
In 2019, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 7068 creating the Multi-Use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) within the Department of Transportation. The program intends to build toll roads and related infrastructure in three corridors:
- Southwest-Central Florida Connector extending from Polk to Collier County;
- Suncoast Connector extending from Citrus to Jefferson County, and
- Northern Turnpike Connector extending from the Florida Turnpike northeast to the Suncoast Parkway.
Allegedly, the project’s stated purpose is to revitalize rural communities, encourage job creation, and provide regional connectivity. Whereas, hurricane evacuation, trade and logistics, and energy distribution are alleged secondary stated purposes. By 2030, the State will construct an estimated 330 miles of new toll roads. Task Forces for each corridor will make road specific recommendations to the Department. Then, final reports with recommendations will be due November 1, 2020.
The Toll on the Environment
The toll roads are a want, not a need. On the other hand, the economic and environmental vitality and vibrancy of Florida are needs, not wants.
Florida has many needs as the state economy recovers from the economic shock of COVID-19. In the short-term, the State must prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. In the long-term, it must address the projected implications of sea-level rise and climate. Perversely, the impact of the three new toll roads on rural communities, agricultural lands, and conservation areas will harm Florida’s many needs. Tragically, the roads will harm Florida’s iconic wildlife, especially the Florida panther. Moreover, these toll roads will disrupt and distract efforts to improve Florida’s well-being.
Florida’s natural environment defends against floods, droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes. It is a major driver of both our tourism and agricultural economies. Florida’s air and water quality are reliant upon the vitality of our native habitats to provide key ecosystem services. Those services support our freshwater, coastal and marine economies. These are facts that we cannot afford to ignore, neglect, or undervalue.
The Road to Rejuvenation
Florida needs to focus on making our existing infrastructure resilient and sustainable. Further, there is no public demand for the proposed roads, which will need upkeep and upgrades. The future of transportation should not be based on the highway expansion model of the 1950s and ’60s. More fossil fuel infrastructure is the opposite of what Florida, or the climate, needs.
Florida should invest in measures to protect and improve the quality of life for the next 50 years. Investments should be made without degrading our immediate environment or the global climate. For example, invest in cost-competitive zero emission energy sources, which are increasingly popular.
“Sunny-Day” flooding, sea-level rise, and saltwater intrusion are already problematic in Miami and the Florida Keys. They are increasing in other coastal communities, as well. Therefore, Florida needs to invest in
- Better urban planning and preparedness,
- Regenerative agriculture,
- Mangrove protection, and
- Water conservation measures.
For example, use solar/wind fueled electric rail to meet future transportation needs.
The Commitment
Florida Veterans For Common Sense asks incumbent Florida State legislators, and candidates for office to pledge to either repeal SB 7068 in the upcoming legislative session or to defund any further efforts toward the construction of these roads.
Learn More
Find out about efforts to combat FDOT’s failure to share critical details on M-CORES.