A USDOT Office of Civil Rights complaint alleging that a proposed tollway connection through a Florida town violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has been dismissed, WFTV reports. The Central Florida Expressway (CFX) wants to connect I-4 south of Orlando with Florida’s Turnpike by building a new route, the Southport Connector Expressway. One alternative under consideration would erect an elevated segment of the expressway over the central thoroughfare of Poinciana, an unincorporated community situated in Osceola and Polk Counties. Local residents — most of whom are Hispanic — filed the complaint alleging that the CFX proposal would divide the main business district and threaten businesses and jobs. Federal officials dismissed the complaint on the basis that the connector project is still undergoing design and it’s too soon to determine whether it represents a civil rights violation. CFX anticipates making more information about the route, including the homes and businesses that would be affected, available within the next year. In a statement, CFX expressed its commitment to engage with the rapidly expanding community as an ongoing study of the project continues. “During the process, we will evaluate roadway alternatives and improvements that consider the community, economics and the natural environment. Later this summer, we will initiate a variety of opportunities where the community can provide input during this project study phase.”
