WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville

The Gainesville Regional Airport is conducting a survey to garner support for a direct flight to New York City.

The Florida Department of Transportation will begin rebuilding the Ocala Sharpes Ferry Bridge's wall, which fell last June after the wall was replaced in April. The repairs, starting Monday, could affect traffic in the area.

As a result of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday a few roads will be closed in the area.

Construction to begin Thursday on six-mile walking and biking trail.

Driving through Starke on U.S. Highway 301 can often be a frustrating experience. There may be an opportunity to begin improving travel Thursday night at a public meeting.

In its Dec. 11 meeting, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners will take its final vote on the Archer Braid Trial. The board is being asked to reconsider a 2.2-mile trail portion that was rejected in September. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Florida Highway Patrol is cracking down on aggressive driving around 18-wheeler rigs.

A major parade means major road closings.  If you plan to travel through parts of Gainesville today, you’ll have to adjust your route starting at 10:00am, when these roads will be closed for the University of Florida homecoming parade: University Avenue from the West 2000 block to the East 300 …

The Public Works Department discussed changes to NW 8th Ave. at a meeting in the A. Quinn Jones Center Tuesday night. The department is suggesting reducing the current four lane road to two lanes due to pedestrians and bicyclists in the area.

The Alachua County Public Works Department is assessing a $2.7 million proposal to widen SW 61st Street and SW 20th Avenue. The project would also add sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks.

Palatka drivers might notice off-white, semi-circular, oblong-shaped boxes stationed high above intersections around town. Local law enforcement hopes those new additions will make drivers think twice about running red lights.

A vote on whether or not a bike trail should run through Haile Plantation ended in a tie at a Tuesday meeting of Alachua County Board of County Commissioners.

Burning brush in Lafeyette and Levy counties cause smoke issues on Florida roads.

WUFT reports on the area of Gainesville near Paynes Prairie, where several people died earlier this year, and changes that have been made to prevent another tragedy.

Silver Airways expanded its routes over the east coast with the launch of its first ever flight from Atlanta International Airport to Gainesville Regional Airport. The flights are scheduled to begin Aug. 1. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Blake Alderman spoke with Matthew Holiday, vice president of marketing and sales for Silver Airways,  about the new …

Florida Turnpike’s eight service plazas are getting a $162-million makeover. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Denardo spoke with Florida Turnpike spokesman Chad Huff about why these renovations are necessary and how they will impact drivers. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/FPTurpikeQA.mp3]

The Archer Braid Trail Public Workshop will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) for the public to discuss any issues or concerns over the trail plans. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Denardo reports on the controversy over the design plans between the county and the Haile Plantation neighborhood. [audio:https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/07/ArcherBraidTrailWRAP.mp3|titles=ArcherBraidTrailWRAP]    

From  Lake City  – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is providing an update on road and bridge closures in Northeast Florida due to Tropical Storm Debby.  Columbia County SR 247 at a section of roadway between County Roads 240 and 242 is closed and totally impassable. Traffic detoured to …

Fuel prices have continued to decrease in Florida, impacting holiday travel. Due to this decrease, more people are traveling by car, especially during the Independence Day holiday. Florida AAA spokesperson  Jessica Brady says a predicted 1.8 million Florida residents are going to be traveling by car this holiday week. She says about …

From Department of Transportation Public Information Office Lake City  – The Florida Department of Transportation is providing an update on road and bridge closures in Northeast Florida due to Tropical Storm Debby.  Columbia County SR 247 north and south of CR 240 is closed. North of CR 240 is totally …

Road & Bridge Closures Update: 1 p.m. June 28, 2012  Lake City  – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is providing an update on road and bridge closures in Northeast Florida due to Tropical Storm Debby.  Baker and Columbia County I-10 east of I-75 (Exit 296) to US 90 (Exit …

The Sharpes Ferry Bridge on County Road 314 near Ocala will remain closed to traffic for an additional and undetermined period of time. The FDOT reports this comes after inspection of the other retaining walls along the roadway Wednesday raised concerns.

The Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that a sinkhole that opened up on S.R. 26, between Serena Lake Drive and S.R. 100 has now been repaired by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Because of the conditions Tropical Storm Debby is creating, roads or portions of roads are being closed in many parts of the state.  For a state map of roads, link to www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/traffic/ and select the region of the state you are concerned about.   A long listing of road closings will …

Marion County officials have temporarily closed the Sharpes Ferry Bridge because of damage caused by Sunday’s bad weather. Portions of County Road 314 leading to the bridge, between the State Road 40 and State Road 35 intersections, will also remain temporarily closed. Marion County officials say only local access to the …

Over the years, area business and government leaders have been trying to help make the Gainesville Regional airport more competitve, both from a facilities standpoint, and from the number of flights that operate out of the airport.  Summer is a travel time, and as Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Strasser reports, more …

Commercial airlines may soon be coming to the Lake City Gateway Airport.  The airport will be opening a new terminal next week that will have many new features to improve travel for pilots and travelers, including an automated weather operating system that allows them to receive weather updates throughout the lobby …

Night time drivers may experience some delays.  The I-75 southbound exit ramp onto Newberry Road will be closed for repaving tomorrow night and possibly Wednesday night, as well. Florida Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Laurie Windham says these closures are part of an even bigger project to reduce traffic back up …

State Road 235 is closed in order to replace and repair the railroad crossing between Alachua and La Crosse. Florida Department of Transportation Spokeswoman Laurie Windham says it was critical to get started on this project to prevent possible accidents. [audio:https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/Windham2.mp3] Windham adds Road 235 has been closed since Saturday …

Retail gas prices in Florida and nationwide continue to inch their way up.  AAA South spokeswoman Jessica Brady says there are a number of reasons why retail gas prices continue to rise as we enter the summer driving season. [audio:https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/Brady1.mp3] The average price in Gainesville is averaging $3.85. Brady says …

Resurfacing along I-75 will cause delays in North Central Florida starting tomorrow. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Fernanda Ponce says the project aims to improve safety standards. [audio:https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/03/I75wrap.mp3]

Road work continues to repair damage done by last month’s fatal I-75 crash.  Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FMs Kim Ortiz says nighttime drivers will see some changes. [audio:https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/02/ROADREPAIRWRAP.mp3]

Floridians are paying about 7 cents more for a gallon of gasoline this week over last.  WUFT-FM’s Dana Kurtz says the pinch at the pump has not yet reached the mass transit level. [audio:https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/02/RTSgaswrap.mp3]

The University of Florida Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Transportation and other organizations are coming together to stress their concern for bicyclist and pedestrian safety. FDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Resource Coordinator Wanda Tyson says people aren’t aware of their surroundings. [audio:https://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/02/Tyson1.mp3] She says the partnership hopes …

A new airline has announced its plans to open a maintenance facility for its fleet, and eventually it could start offering flights from Gainesville. Silver Airways Chief executive officer David Querio said the company needed a new facility. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/qUERIo1.mp3]