TALLAHASSEE — Five roads in Washington, Gulf and Jackson counties are among those in line for improvements as part of $9 million in transportation projects earmarked for rural roads statewide.
The funding is part of Gov. Rick Scott’s Rural Areas of Opportunity Program designed to help Florida’s rural communities continue to grow and create opportunities for families and job creators.
The five area projects included are:
- In Wausau, $399,042 to widen existing roadway from 18 feet to 20 feet and replace two 48-inch culverts on Fourth Street/Ollie Road from State 77 to the city limits.
- Alford, $360,086 to resurface existing roadway and pave dirt road on Tennessee Street from the south city limits to Park Avenue.
- Malone, $129,360 for resurfacing Eighth Street from State 2 to 10th Avenue.
- Wewahitchka, $62,712 for resurfacing Old Highway 22A from Winnie Street to State 22.
- Graceville, $195,840 for resurfacing White Avenue from Hinson Memorial Drive to College Street, and Pearl Street from Washington Avenue to White Avenue.
The funding is an extension of the Small County Outreach Program (SCOP), which the Florida Department of Transportation has used to support Florida’s economically challenged rural counties for many years.
In written statements, state Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and state Rep. Brad Drake, R-DeFuniak Springs, praised the funding.
“This funding comes at a great time to help our rural communities in their efforts to bolster the economy,” Gaetz said.
“This is a great endeavor for our rural communities to receive this additional funding which will spur their local economy,” Drake said.
Scott noted the importance of funding transportation.
“This year we made an historic investment of over $10 billion for transportation needs and (the Department of Transportation’s) five-year plan will invest nearly $41 billion into our state’s transportation system,” he said in a press release. “Investing in our roads is a top priority because it will help our state continue to be a global tourist and business destination.”