All articles tagged with #florida department of transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation repainted the rainbow-colored Pulse crosswalk in Orlando after supporters used chalk to restore it following its removal, with police monitoring the site amid ongoing protests and political controversy over LGBTQ+ symbols.
Protesters in Orlando returned to restore the rainbow crosswalk outside Pulse nightclub, which was painted over by the Florida Department of Transportation due to non-compliance with regulations, as a symbol honoring the 49 victims of the Pulse massacre. The protesters used paint to re-establish the memorial, emphasizing its significance beyond mere decoration, while FDOT plans to build a permanent memorial nearby. The city has until September 4 to bring the crosswalks into compliance.
A crowd in Orlando protested the removal of a rainbow-colored crosswalk honoring the Pulse Nightclub victims, which was painted over by the Florida Department of Transportation as part of a crackdown on political street art, sparking community outrage and demonstrations.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed using the more than $570 million collected from the Hillsborough transportation sales tax, which was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court, for transportation projects in Hillsborough County instead of issuing a tax refund. The governor's proposed budget includes a directive for the funds to be sent to the Florida Department of Transportation, who will have until September to determine which projects to allocate the money to. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor expressed support for the proposal, stating that the city has significant transportation needs. The details of the plan are still being worked out, including whether mass transit will be included in the project prioritization.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law allowing researchers to study road construction using phosphogypsum, a controversial material that contains small amounts of uranium and radium. The waste product, described as a radioactive material by the EPA, poses potential health risks, including an increased risk of cancer. The Florida Department of Transportation will conduct a study to assess the effects of phosphogypsum on workers, adjacent property owners, and the environment. The deadline for completing the study and making a recommendation is April 1, 2023. The EPA would need to approve any future requests for construction using phosphogypsum.