SR 79 Reconstruction, Washington and Holmes Counties, Florida

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Location site for the State Road 79 in both Holmes and Washington Counties reconstruction project.

Source: Credit to Florida Department of Transportation

Project Name	State Road 79 Reconstruction Project
Location	Washington and Holmes Counties, Florida
Project Sponsor / Borrower	Florida Department of Transportation
Program Areas
Value Capture Techniques	N/A
Mode	Highway and Bridge
Description	In 2013, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) executed a multi-lane reconstruction project on State Road 79 (SR 79) from north of Mill Branch Bridge in Washington County to Interstate 10 (I-10) in Holmes County. The project intended to widen twenty miles of SR 79 in Washington County from a two-lane rural roadway to a divided, four-lane roadway. The improvements across this four-lane roadway from U.S. Highway 98 to I-10 were to be constructed in four phases and completed by Fall 2020. The construction phases were as follows: Phase A: Includes improvements to SR 79 from Mill Branch Bridge to Reedy Branch Bridge for a length of 4.5 miles. Phase B: Includes improvements to SR 79 from Pate Pond Road to Cypress Creek Bridge for a length of 3.2 miles. Phase C: Includes improvements to SR 79 from Cypress Creek Bridge to I-10 for a length of 6 miles. Phase D: Includes improvements to SR 79 from Reedy Branch Bridge to Court Street in Vernon for a length of 6.4 miles. Phases B and C included constructing a typical rural section with a grassed median and a new bridge along the designated area. Similarly, Phases A and D involved constructing a typical rural section with grassed median and a typical urban section with pedestrian facilities. In addition, Phase D included the construction of a new traffic signal at Sapp Street. All phases included utility relocation and stormwater treatment. These improvements are expected to enhance safety and mobility along the corridor. As of January 2021, the project was sufficiently funded by FDOT under the cash availability schedule, eliminating the need for financing by the design-build firm. The firm has been fully compensated for work performed to date.
Cost	$97 million
Funding Sources	Florida Department of Transportation
Project Delivery / Contract Method	DBF
Private Partner	Anderson Columbia Company
Project Advisors / Consultants	Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP)
Lenders	N/A
Duration / Status	January 2013-June 2020
Financial Status/Financial Performance	As of January 2021, the project was sufficiently funded by FDOT under the cash availability schedule, eliminating the need for financing by the design-build firm. The firm has been fully compensated for work performed to date.
Innovations	The project incorporated several safety features such as: Bridge railings Handicapped accessible sidewalks Chain-link fencing at stormwater retention ponds Guardrails approaching all bridges Access roads to preserve the safety and efficiency of transportation
Related Links / Articles	Florida Department of Transportation - Public Private Partnerships: Lessons from Florida Florida Department of Transportation - Public-Private Partnership Projects
Contacts	Billy Robinson Florida Department of Transportation Project Manager (850) 836-5713 billy.robinson@dot.state.fl.us