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Governor's Press Office [Governor'sPressOffice@eog.myflorida.com] 9/13/2017 12:34:12 PM FYL.From the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Good morning, Please see the below release sent late last night from the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Thanks, Governor Rick Scott's Press Office
From: Moscoso, Alberto [mailto:Alberto.iVloscoso@em.mvflorida.com1 Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 12:44 AM Subject: RELEASE: FDOT: FOOT and DHSMV Monitoring Sante Fe River at 1-75 for Potential Impacts Due to Unprecedented Flooding
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September 12, 2017
Dick Kane, 850-414-4595 FDOT Communications Director
dick.kane@dot.state.fl.us Beth Frady, 850-694-9313 DHSMV Communications Director
bethfrady@flhsmv, gov
FDOT and DHSMV Monitoring Sante Fe River at 1-75 for Potential Impacts Due to Unprecedented Flooding
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Upon receiving weather reports late today, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced that it is actively monitoring a small bridge on 1-75 at mile marker 408 crossing the Sante Fe River on the northern border of Alachua County. The river is expected to crest at historic and unprecedented levels presenting a potential threat to the safety of travel on this bridge. The Santa Fe River under 1-75 has rapidly risen 15 feet within the past 36 hours due to the heavy rainfall over North Florida from Hurricane Irma. An additional rise is expected within the coming days as water levels from upstream move southward down the river. The river level is currently safe at 55 feet. However, if the river were to rise to an unsafe level, the bridge would become impassable both northbound and southbound, and would be closed immediately.
Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA
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At this time, 1-75 remains safe and passable. Floridians that are traveling home should monitor this situation very closely and remain alert to local travel conditions. The Florida Department of Transportation is actively working with WAZE, Google Maps, the Georgia Department of Transportation and other transportation industry partners to communicate the potential reroutes to the public. Floridians should consult www.FLS 31 .com for up-to-date information on road closures and travel routes.
Flydrologists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) will be conducting an on-site assessment of river conditions tomorrow morning. An update on the conditions will be provided following this assessment. FOOT bridge inspectors are monitoring this structure 24 hours a day to ensure driver safety.
If the Sante Fe River rises to an unsafe level, it will require the full closure of 1-75 south of 1-10 and north of U.S. 441 in Alachua. Travelers should be prepared for significant delays from tomorrow evening through Saturday. This unprecedented river flooding will also cause closures and extensive rerouting of traffic on U.S. 27, U.S. 41, S.R. 47 and possibly U.S. 121. These routes would not be considered passable.
In the event of road flooding on 1-75 at the Sante Fe River, FOOT will reroute traffic to U.S. 19, U.S. 301 and I95. Any Floridian planning on traveling to Central or Southern Florida should consider traveling southbound on 1-95.
To plan for the possibility of bridge damage, FOOT will be issuing an emergency procurement to ensure a team of engineers will be on scene to immediately make any needed repairs once the water recedes.
We will keep the public and media informed of any developments. Safety is always our top priority and additional updates will be released as soon as available.
M -LL.U TTTTTT
Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA
Tier 1
ED 002061 00011988-00002