If the DD/HOB Extension Project is canceled, what should be done with the money that has been set aside for it?

 

An obvious solution would be to implement some of the recommendations put forth in the Minton Road Feasibility Study.

 

The study group concluded that widening Minton Road (as originally envisioned) would not be economically feasible, but they offered a list of potential road design changes that could significantly improve traffic conditions. The list includes several specific minor tweaks (additional turn lanes, changes to intersection layouts, additional crosswalks, etc.) which could ease traffic congestion, and enhance pedestrian safety. The list of improvements may need to be updated, in light of all of the changes that have occurred in the area recently.

 

The funds budgeted for the DD/HOB Extension Project would not cover all of the items on the Minton list. So the obvious approach would be for the city to fund only those with highest priority; e.g., those contributing to safety at school crossings.

​

The other option would be for the city to initiate a cost-sharing effort with Palm Bay to cover the entire set of improvements. This option was recommended in the study report, but might prove to be difficult to implement administratively.

​

Whichever option is selected, it is likely that a Minton Road Improvement project would have vastly more support from the citizenry than the DD/HOB Extension Project. Who can be against it?

​

Here is the concluding section of the Minton Road Study.