Florida, like every other state, has a list of 100's and probably thousands of proposed highway projects. Every city and county believes that their pet highway project is the most important one in the state. There aren't enough construction companies to do all these projects in the time frame everyone wants it done. There also isn't nearly enough money available to fund all of them in the time frame everyone demands they be completed in. Additionally, the highway dept can't just decide they are going to put an exit on a federal highway. The feds have to approve it, environmental studies have to be conducted, and it takes time for eminent domain to obtain any land from private owners. On top of that all it takes is one individual to make the claim that they observed a protected species that would be affected in that area. They aren't required to provide proof of this claim, but the state will have to conduct a study to prove or disprove the claim. Then if it is finally approved the project will go on the list of things to do but will be scheduled after any previously approved projects.
As far as the Morse family just snapping their fingers and the state jumps to their demand, please!!!! They may have a bit of pull with the state, but they aren't the only deep pockets in the state and there are some that have even more pull. Do you really think a county representative from the panhandle, or the Keys will worry about upsetting the Morse Family? Every county rep wants to the bring home the bacon to their constituents and they will fight tooth and nail to get what they want.
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