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

Taking a bus is now a normal everyday part of disabled people's lives because the service seen dramatic improvements in the last few years. RTS reported in their yearly ridership report that they had over 40,000 handicapped and disabled riders from October 1, 2012 to September 30,2013.

The Regional Transit System is making changes to its spring 2014 schedule to better accommodate riders based on which routes are being used more or less often.

In the five-year work plan, the Florida Department of Transportation has highlighted the projects they plan to work on in the North Central Florida area.

Alachua County will meet Nov. 12 to approve a bid and construction plans to improve the stretch of road between Northwest 57 Terrace to the Northwest 13th Street. County Transportation Engineering Manager Brian Singleton said the project began conceptually years before a 2011 approval.

A trail for pedestrians and cyclists at the University of Florida that will connect to the bicycle trail at Archer Road is set to be put in near the end of 2014.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials and construction staff will discuss the upcoming $7.9 million I-75 and U.S. 441 Alachua interchange project at an open house Wednesday.

Transportation officials discussed the final plans to renovate the remaining segment of State Road 20 at a public hearing on Sept. 12. The Florida Department of Transportation has been working for about 25 years on the project.

Residents near Ben Hill Griffin stadium are now allowed to charge for parking in their yards without permits.

Some Northwest 8th Avenue changes planned for Sunday.

City officials and local residents spoke out about Gainesville's transportation problems at a five-hour transportation summit on Wednesday.

The April 15 closing of the Ocala International Airport control tower was delayed by the Federal Aviation Administration to June 15.

The Gainesville City Commission’s Community Development Committee met to discuss city parking decal issues near the University of Florida campus.

Gainesville held a ceremony Thursday celebrating the end of $1.3 million in renovations with many eco-friendly features.

Gas price increases result from a number of factors, including a rise in crude oil prices, an increase in demand for oil in other countries and oil refinery closings, according to University of Florida economist Raymond Schaub.

Residential parking permits in Gainesville may see a sharp price increase. City Commissioners are discussing a change in price because of space shortages. The process for buying permits may change, too.

Roadway repairs will leave temporary lane closures in Marion County Feb. 18 to April 19.

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 …