The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study to extend SR 7 from its current termination point at Okeechobee Boulevard to Northlake Boulevard. The purpose of this study is to develop several viable alternatives and evaluate each one for potential impacts with respect to social and environmental concerns. Public input will play a vital role throughout the process. If you live near the project area and would like to get involved, then navigate to the Get Involved section of the website for more information. In addition, other resources are available to learn more about the project.

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Four, conducted a Public Hearing on the proposed improvements to SR 7 from SR 704 (Okeechobee Boulevard) to CR 809A (Northlake Boulevard) in Palm Beach County, Florida. The public hearing was held on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at the South Florida Expo Center, located in West Palm Beach, Florida. This Public Hearing was conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. A summary of the Hearing can be found on the Get Involved page.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that each State must have procedures approved by the FHWA to carry out a public involvement/public hearing program pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 128 and 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508. The State of Florida has FHWA approved procedures for conducting public hearings that are documented in the Project Development and Environment Manual. This approved process provides for hearings to be conducted by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials. Public hearings are required by Florida Law, Chapter 339.155, F.S. Public hearings are generally held prior to a decision making point such as work program development or administration, and FHWA Location and Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA). Public hearings are held to provide the public with an opportunity to express their views on the project, its potential for impact, and other related matters. A public hearing is the official public forum used by the FDOT through which the general public and government officials express their concerns, opinions, and comments regarding a project. The public hearing is the official point in the project development process where the information that has been developed to date is shared with the public and the public can make oral or written statements regarding the project that officially go on record.

The FDOT gathers information and public opinion and provides a complete public hearing transcript to the FHWA. The FDOT, in consultation with FHWA, and in accordance with state law, makes final decisions for the location, design, construction and maintenance of Florida’s highways. The FHWA, in accordance with federal law, cooperates with the State of Florida in planning and developing federal-aid transportation improvements. The FHWA reviews and approves all federal-aid actions proposed by the FDOT. The FDOT will follow the approved procedures in all public involvement events and hearings held for federal aid projects including the SR 7 Extension project.