Tallahassee Sun

Marking a significant milestone for Tallahassee-Leon County's infrastructure, the Blue• print Intergovernmental Agency, in partnership with the City of Tallahassee and Leon County Government, celebrated the groundbreaking of the Northeast Gateway: Welaunee Boulevard project today. This initiative promises to bolster regional mobility and connectivity, contributing positively to the community's growth.

"The Northeast Gateway project represents an innovative plan within northeast Tallahassee-Leon County that will offer many benefits to the community. This project is also the result of the Intergovernmental Agency (IA) Board's commitment to the creation of multi-use corridors and the protection of canopy roads and green spaces," said IA Board Chair and Leon County Commission Chair Carolyn Cummings. "This project is set to lay the foundation for a future I-10 interchange, which will create more accessibility in the northeast side of town and will provide significant relief to the Thomasville Road and Mahan Drive Interchanges."

Project Highlights:

• Regional Mobility: Aims to ease traffic in surrounding areas, enhancing overall accessibility.

• Transportation Network: Offers an efficient system with multi-use paths and sidewalks, as well as connections to parks and greenways, for all users.

• Future Infrastructure: Prepares for an I-10 interchange to alleviate regional traffic congestion.

• Canopy Road Protection: Prioritizes the protection of scenic routes affected by development.

• Environmental Stewardship: Implements measures to protect wildlife and trees, minimizing impacts to local ecosystems.

• Historical Preservation: Alignment avoids the New Hope Cemetery, with an archaeologist on-site during construction as an additional safeguard.

• Noise Management: Ensures compliance with noise ordinances, with construction activities confined to daytime hours.

• Economic Impact: Predicts a substantial economic output and job creation, as per studies by the Florida State University's Center for Economic           Forecasting and Analysis. 

Strategic Planning: Aligns with the Tallahassee-Leon County 2030 Comprehensive Plan, enhancing infrastructure for future growth.

"The total economic impact from the planned development resulting from the Northeast Gateway project is estimated between $2.2 and $8.2 billion investment back into the Tallahassee-Leon County community," Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said. "This gateway will improve connectivity and reduce traffic congestion, which will greatly benefit residents and help accommodate the area's continued growth."

Upon completion, the Northeast Gateway will extend approximately 6 miles, including a vital connection to local schools and the Northeast Park. It will also integrate an extensive greenway network, enhancing the area's recreational landscape.

"The Northeast Gateway has been underway for over five years, and Blueprint is excited to see the project break ground," Blueprint Director Autumn Calder said. "Blueprint has worked diligently to balance strategic planning, community desires, environmental protection and economic development to bring this project from concept to fruition."

The first phase of construction from the end of Welaunee Boulevard to south of I-10 is underway, with completion slated for spring 2026. The subsequent phases include a new bridge crossing I-10 and continuation of Welaunee Boulevard north to the intersection of Centerville Road and Roberts Road/Bradfordville Road, as well as connection to the Welaunee Greenway, which are anticipated to be complete in 2027.

For more information, visit BlueprintIA.org.

Original source can be found here.