You are invited to attend and participate in the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Seven public hearing regarding a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the proposed improvements to State Road 50 (US 98/Cortez Boulevard) from the Brooksville Bypass to west of Interstate 75 in Hernando County, Florida. The study extends to Lockhart Road on the eastern end of the project for a length of approximately 7.2 miles. This public hearing is being held to allow interested persons an opportunity to provide comments and express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed project which is widening this portion of SR 50. The proposed project is intended to accommodate projected future traffic. Multi-modal improvements such as sidewalks, bicycle facilities, and transit accommodations will be considered as part of the project. The widening of SR 50 is proposed as a six-lane divided roadway with pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Department representatives will be available at the public hearing beginning at 5:30 pm to answer questions and discuss the project informally. Draft project documents and other project related materials will be displayed, and a PowerPoint presentation will run continuously during the open house. At 6:30 pm, FDOT representatives will begin the formal portion of the hearing, which will provide an opportunity for attendees to make formal oral public comments. Following the formal portion of the hearing, the informal open house will resume and continue until 7:30 pm. A court reporter will be available to receive comments in a one-on-one setting. 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 mailing them to Kirk Bogen, P.E., Environmental Management Engineer, Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven, 11201 N. McKinley Drive MS 7-500, Tampa, FL 33612, or electronically to the project website at http://active.fdotd7studies.com/sr50/brooksville-bypass-to-i75/. All exhibits or statements must be postmarked or emailed no later than Monday, December 23, 2019 to become part of the official public hearing record. Draft project documents are available from Tuesday, November 19, 2019 to Monday, December 23, 2019 at the locations listed below and on the project website, http://active.fdotd7studies.com/sr50/brooksville-bypass-to-i75/. • East Hernando Branch Library – 6457 Windermere Road, Brooksville, FL 34602; (Business Hours: Tues–Fri: 10 am–6 pm; Sat: 10 am–5 pm; Sun & Mon: Closed) • FDOT District Seven, 11201 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612; (Business Hours: Mon-Fri: 8 am–5 pm) Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.