Florida Department of Transportation

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida^[1]. It was formed in 1969, absorbing the powers of the old State Road Department and Florida State Turnpike Authority.

1 Achievements
2 Structure
3 Office of Motor Carrier Compliance (MCCO)
4 Trivia
5 See also
6 References
7 External link

[edit] Achievements

In 1954, the Florida State Road Department completed the original Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the first fixed span to connect Saint Petersburg directly to Bradenton. This shortened the travel time between the two cities greatly, as before cars would have to either use a ferry or drive about 100 miles around Tampa Bay. A parallel span was completed in 1971 to make the bridge Interstate standard, and it became part of I-275. After the southbound (newer) span was destroyed in 1980 when the SS Summit Venture collided with it, a replacement bridge was completed in 1987.

In 1974, FDOT completed Florida's Turnpike, a 309-mile limited access toll highway that connected the panhandle area through Orlando to Miami. The turnpike is part of an initiative to finance transportation with user fees^[2].

In 2004, FDOT reopened the I-10 Escambia bridge 17 days after Hurricane Ivan ripped it apart ^[3]. In recent years, FDOT has had much experience in emergency repairs, including a sinkhole that destroyed most of westbound I-4 in Lake Mary in 2001, a tanker truck fire that critically damaged a ramp from SR 528 to I-4 in Orlando in 2002, and a car accident that destroyed an I-75 overpass near Gainesville in 2003.

[edit] Structure

Each of FDOT's eight semi-autonomous districts is managed by a District Secretary. There are seven geographic districts, and the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, which manages all Florida toll roads and bridges that are not under the jurisdiction of local transit authorities. The Secretary of Transportation is responsible for coordinating the Department as a whole. The Florida Transportation Commission, made up of nine commissioners chosen by Florida's Governor and Legislature, provides oversight for FDOT^[4].

On March 5, 2003, Governor Jeb Bush appointed José Abreu, P.E., as Secretary of Transportation^[5].

On June 27, 2005, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Denver Stutler, Jr., as Secretary of Transportation^[6]. Previously, Sutler was Bush's chief of staff.

On January 2, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist appointed Stephanie Kopelousos as Interim Secretary of Transportation^[7]. Previously, Kopelousos served as the FDOT Federal Programs Coordinator.

[edit] Office of Motor Carrier Compliance (MCCO)

Otherwise known as Florida’s commercial vehicle enforcement agency, MCCO is mainly comprised of sworn law enforcement officers and civilian weight inspectors. Similar to state troopers, MCCO officers are certified (e.g. police academy trained), armed and have full statewide law enforcement authority including powers of arrest. Primary duties include but are not limited to:

Issuing traffic citations pursuant to state motor vehicle laws
Reviewing operator logbooks and inspecting their vehicles to ensure they are in compliance with FDOT regulations
Verifying operator possesses valid CDL and hazardous materials permit (if applicable)
Providing supplemental support to local law enforcement agencies during emergency situations

Although their primary focus is on commercial vehicles, MCCO officers can (and will) stop non-commercial drivers when serious infractions are observed.

[edit] Trivia

At each of Florida's welcome centers, in tribute to Florida's important citrus industry, visitors are offered a free small cup of either orange juice or grapefruit juice.