Dave Berman

FLORIDA TODAY

Dozens of Viera residents told state transportation officials what they don't like about a plan to build an Interstate 95 interchange at Viera Boulevard. And their dislikes were many.

The residents were among more than 300 people who packed a Florida Department of Transportation hearing in Viera on the plan, which also includes widening the two-lane sections Viera Boulevard to four lanes.

The interchange is designed to ease congestion at two nearby Interstate 95 interchanges — Fiske Boulevard to the north and Wickham Road to the south, according to Jan Everett, the consulting project manager who moderated the hearing. The Viera Co. plans to pay $14.67 million of the cost of the project and donate the land.

But members of the public at the hearing say they don't want it. At one point during the two-hour hearing, a speaker asked for a show of hands on who wants the interchange and who doesn't. Two people in the audience expressed support.

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Among the specific concerns cited by the 24 residents testifying at the hearing and others who submitted written comment: The project will increase traffic congestion, increase the number of large trucks traveling along Viera Boulevard and result in more accidents. Others said the plan does not adequately address the need for more traffic lights and is too restrictive on turning lanes. Still others worried about increased noise, the impact of the project on property values in the large residential communities off Viera Boulevard, and potential negative impact on birds and other wildlife who live in the area.

The proposed interchange design also came under criticism. The state is proposing what's known as a diverging diamond interchange configuration that would be new to Florida. DOT officials say the design would increase safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling on Viera Boulevard through a system which includes lane shifts that also allow for easier entry onto the interstate.

But some residents in attendance had their doubts after watching a video simulation of how such an interchange works. One called it "another Frankenstein."

Many of the speakers said they believe the interchange project is a done deal. But they want the DOT to consider their recommendations in the final design on such things as speed limits and restrictions on commercial truck traffic along Viera Boulevard, noise-reducing walls, and placement of traffic lights and turn lanes.

Jazlyn cq Heywood, the DOT's project manager, said all the input from Tuesday's hearing, as well as written comments postmarked by June 3, will be taken into consideration, as her agency continues work on designing the project.

DOT officials say the turnout at Tuesday's hearing was relatively large, but it shows there is strong community interest in the project.

Traffic along Viera Boulevard is likely to more than double by 2038 if the project is built, Everett said.

The busiest section of Viera Boulevard now handles an average of 13,500 vehicles a day. That would increase to 30,100 by 2038 if the interchange is built and 23,700 if the interchange is not built.

Everett said the project would impact 8.42 acres of wetlands and 2.57 acres of floodplains, which would be mitigated as part of the project.

She indicated in her presentation that noise barriers have not been recommended because of costs.

The interchange proposal currently is in its project development and environment study phase.

Heywood said the current timeline anticipates federal approval for the project as early as October. Should the plan move forward, the project would be completed in 2018.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649 or dberman@floridatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByDaveBerman