Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
Posted
#159321
(In Topic #28566)
Wise Owl
Member since 2003
By Kathy Bushouse
Staff Writer
Posted February 9 2004
BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic University and the city are on the verge of getting $14 million from the federal government for a new Interstate 95 interchange to steer school traffic directly onto the campus.
Money for the interchange is in a federal authorization bill by U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, which seeks to tap into the Highway Trust Fund. The fund gets its money from states' gasoline taxes.
"It's getting a lot of momentum," said FAU President Frank Brogan.
University and city leaders have lobbied for the $61.5 million interchange to take traffic off busy Glades Road. The interchange also would aid FAU in its quest to build an on-campus football stadium, Brogan said.
The school is studying the idea of building a combination football stadium and basketball arena similar to the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University. Brogan said a study is expected sometime this fall.
About 62,000 cars a day use the stretch of Glades Road near FAU, according to recent county traffic figures. The six-lane road is built to handle only 48,900 cars a day.
"We're hoping to get this money to FAU so they can start this project," said Wexler spokeswoman Lale Mameux. The money has to go through a committee review before it is approved, Mameux said.
Should the money be approved, the city and university will have leverage to get even more money for the interchange, said City Councilwoman Susan Haynie, who is also a member of the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization that sets priorities for traffic projects in the county.
Currently, the interchange is tentatively scheduled for development and environmental studies by the state Department of Transportation in 2005, Haynie said. There is $1 million set aside for that study, she said.
Engineers will look at different ways to bring traffic from the highway to the university, and will examine the environmental impact of those options, Haynie said.
They also must do a report justifying the need for the interchange, since there are exits at Glades and Yamato roads.
Haynie said she hopes something is done soon.
"The only solution to Glades Road congestion is to provide direct I-95 access into the university campus," she said. "There's severe traffic problems today, and the university is growing."
Posted
Bytor
Member since 2004
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
the area is becoming rather congested.
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2003
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
The Yamato exit would make sense because the Stadium is planned to be in that area too. NW of the Oxley Center.
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
Posted
Curious Owl
Member since 2004
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
They could also make an new exit onto Spanish River. That's initially where I thought it would go.
That was my thinking as well. However, at the rate they're moving with the current I95 construction, we don't have to worry about this for another 10-15 years…when they are adding to what they just did! :
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
Looks like FAU might have to build an on-campus stadium sooner than later if all this goes through.
President of the No Homers Club. Keepin' it real since 2001.
Posted
Bytor
Member since 2004
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
A 20,000 seat Outdoor stadium could be done rather quickly and inexpensive.
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2004
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
Posted
Wise Owl
Member since 2003
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
A nice open stadium will do the same job for us. Kind of hard to sell the basketball team now anyway in reagrds to the Arena.
Keep umbrellas legal.
Plan to build a nice covered walkway or pavillion for the fans.
Use some of the funds to cover parts of the practice fields with a Bubble tent. Cut down on the possibilty of loss practices.
It can be done as it is in other football campuses.
Posted
Bytor
Member since 2004
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
Campus Stadium Info. (sort of)
all the fanfare. Let the game itself draw the fans.
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