Financial Project Identification (FPID) No.: 435859-1 Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) 14269 The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold two public hearings for the State Road (S.R.) 50 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study. A PD&E study blends engineering evaluations, environmental analysis and public involvement. It is the FDOT’s process to adhere to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and state requirements. The S.R. 50 PD&E Study recommends widening the roadway to four lanes from U.S. 301 in Hernando County to County Road (C.R.) 33 in Lake County, a distance of 20 miles. The project also consists of intersection improvements, and enhanced pedestrian and bicycle features. The need for these improvements includes roadway capacity and safety. The hearings, which will contain the same information at each event, will begin as an open house format at 5:30 p.m. A formal presentation will be given at 6:30 p.m., followed by a public comment period. Members of the study team will be available to answer questions and obtain input from attendees. A certified court reporter will also be present to collect and document comments, and will prepare a verbatim transcript of the presentation for the project record. These public hearings are being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. Draft project documents will be available for public review from Nov. 6, 2018 to Dec. 10, 2018 at the locations listed below and on the project website (cflroads.com; search by project number 435859-1 to access the project webpage). City of Mascotte 100 E Myers Blvd. Mascotte, FL 34753 East Hernando Branch Library 6457 Windmere Rd. Brooksville, FL 34602 Persons wishing to submit written statements, in place of or in addition to oral statements, may do so at the hearing or by sending them to Ms. Lorena Cucek, FDOT project manager, 719 S. Woodland Blvd., MS 501, DeLand, FL 32730 or by e-mail to lorena.cucek@dot.state.fl.us. All statements postmarked on or before Monday, Dec. 10, 2018 will become a part of the public hearing record. 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 Jennifer Smith, FDOT District Five Title VI Coordinator, by email at Jennifer.Smith2@dot.state.fl.us. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Ms. Lorena Cucek, FDOT project manager, by phone at 386-943-5392, or via email at lorena.cucek@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the hearings.