SWFL in line to get 1 of 3 new toll roads coming to the state

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SunPass toll plaza. Photo Credit: CBS Miami

The transportation task force met Tuesday to discuss the addition of three new toll roads to our state, and one of those toll roads is coming here to Southwest Florida.

It’s called the “Southwest Central Florida Connector” and it runs from Collier County to Polk County.

The goal of the three tasks forces is to study these corridors and also get input from the public.

3 proposed toll roads for Florida. Photo via WINK News

WINK News spoke with the truck drivers who are on these highways everyday, and they say it would be a good idea.

“I love it, you couldn’t have enough roads in the state of Florida anywhere…especially in this area,” said truck driver, Berlin Enfinger.

The proposal calls for spending millions of dollars over the course of the next few years.

These tasks forces are made up of commissioners from several counties, FDOT officials, health officials, and environmental groups, among several others.

They will ultimately address the need for this corridor, and study the environmental and economic impact.

The state is on the fast track to get it done, hoping to break ground by 2022 and finish the project by 2030.

“It can be done,” said task force member, Ken Doherty. “It is aggressive. It is going to take a tremendous coordination effort with all the concerns.”

The Southwest Central Florida Connector Task Force is in the beginning stages of deciding where the roads should go, but some longtime Floridians like Margaret Hyde worry about the consequences of putting a highway through rural areas.

“There is a lot of animals where, this is where they live and you were going to go right through their homes to tear them up to build a road,” said Hyde.

The task force says input, but people like Hyde, is essential and could make a big difference for the future of Southwest Florida.

The Florida Department of Transportation says it will hold smaller community workshops in the counties affected including Charlotte, Lee and Collier, in January and February.

In the meantime, you can share your feedback online.

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