Brevard County -- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is holding a public hearing regarding the access management design project along State Road (S.R.) 520/Merritt Island Causeway between Newfound Harbor Drive and South Banana River Drive. The department is designing this project to add a raised median within the existing two-way left-turn lane, which improves safety by reducing conflicts between left-turn movements and through traffic.

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, July 24, at the Kiwanis Island Park Community Center in Merritt Island. The hearing will begin with an open house at 5:30 p.m. A formal presentation will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a public comment period. The purpose of this hearing is to introduce the project and present the design concepts to the public. A court reporter will prepare a verbatim transcript of the proceedings.

Persons wishing to submit written statements or other exhibits, in place of, or in addition to, oral statements may do so at the hearing, or by contacting the FDOT. All exhibits or statements postmarked on or before August 3, 2018, will become part of the public hearing record.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should also contact the department. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting the FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us.

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016, and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Communications Office at 386-943-5479 or d5-pio@dot.state.fl.us.