The region's transportation authority is responsible for building roads and a commuter rail system but doesn't have the money for either. ...more

October 18, 2008

Florida is hitting the gas on road and bridge projects to create 39,000 jobs across the state, including the Tampa Bay area. ...more

October 17, 2008

The region's transportation authority is responsible for building roads and a commuter rail system but doesn't have the money for either. Now comes word it probably won't be able to raise taxes in Hillsborough, Pinellas and other counties in the region to pay for its transportation projects. Not in this economic climate. ...more

October 16, 2008

The economic slowdown has made construction companies eager to bid on local government projects, and the lower prices are good news for taxpayers. ...more

September 17, 2008

When Department of Public Works Director Charles Mixson returns from his disciplinary suspension next week, he will have to pencil in a new appointment on his calendar: A meeting with his boss, County Administrator David Hamilton. ...more

September 4, 2008

Includes mandatory weekly meetings ...more

September 4, 2008

In the days after the collapse of the state's $649 million deal with CSX Transportation, both supporters and opponents said the same thing: The goal of creating a commuter rail system in Florida is still alive. ...more

May 11, 2008

SEBRING — A proposed state law, introduced for the Legislature's new 2008 session, would shut down most of Highlands County's road building projects, and severely limit the cost-effectiveness of the county's new asphalt plant. That is the assessment of House Bill 683 by Ramon Gavarette, Highlands County Engineer, and Ross Macbeth, attorney for the Highlands County commissioners. The county asphalt plant, which is scheduled to start production this spring, would be the first asphalt plant owned and operated by a local government in Florida. Commissioners have borrowed $3.3 million to build the plant, based on Ken Wheeler, director of the county solid waste department, estimating it will save $700,000 per year on road work. House Bill 683 apparently was pushed by the Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida, which tried unsuccessfully to talk the county commissioners out of building the first county-owned asphalt plant in the state. ...more

January 26, 2008

A Delaware company is seeking permission to operate the county's first all-night borrow pit at an existing excavation site off U.S. 41 and near the Manatee County line. ...more

October 31, 2007

Lawmakers are expected to discuss budget changes for health care, the environment and education. Law enforcement officers should be safe because the governor has made it clear he will not cut their jobs. He also is pushing for more spending on affordable housing assistance and transportation projects. ...more

September 30, 2007