COMMISSIONERS TO TALK ABOUT WINCHESTER

CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL CONSIDER ADDING THE WINCHESTER BOULEVARD EXTENSION TO ITS LIST OF CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR 2011, BUT THERE COULD BE A ROADBLOCK.  THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS THEY HAVE ALLOCATED FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012, AND IF THE COUNTY CHOOSES TO MOVE AHEAD IN ’11 THEY COULD LOSE THEIR FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT.  COMMISSONER ROBERT SKIDMORE SAID DURING A PRE-AGENDA MEETING THAT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND HE HAS ALREADY CONTACTED CONGRESSMAN VERN BUCHANAN TO SEE IF THE $6 MILLION DOLLARS THAT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE PROJECT COULD BE WRIGGLED LOOSE A YEAR EARLY.  THE HURRICANE HIGHWAY HAS BEEN DERAILED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, MOST RECENTLY LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF A $35 MILLION DOLLAR PRICE TAG.  BUT WITH COSTS DOWN NEARLY HALF BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION SLOWDOWN, COMMISSIONERS WANT TO MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.