The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 3 enlisted Hanson when it wanted to explore the possibility of widening a 4.2‑mile segment of Interstate 10 (I-10) from west of U.S. 90 to west of State Road (S.R.) 263 (Capital Circle NW), from four to six lanes through Gadsden and Leon counties.
FDOT’s plan also included potential interchange improvements at U.S. 90 and the Leon County Rest Area, along with potential bridge widening or replacement based on existing structure conditions. The I‑10 project corridor contains several bridges, bridge culverts, cross drains and other structures that carry water into the Midway Branch system or directly to the Ochlockonee River, which flows north to south from Georgia into Lake Talquin and ends at the Gulf of Mexico.
The Midway Branch collects stormwater southwest of the I‑10/U.S. 90 interchangethrough a network of bridges and culverts before discharging into the Ochlockonee about 2.40 miles southwest of the I‑10 bridge over the river. The bridge will be replaced as part of the project.
The Ochlockonee lies within a Zone AE floodplain and is designated as an Outstanding Florida Water. As part of Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), the I‑10 segment plays a critical role in statewide mobility, serving as a major east–west corridor linking Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and beyond.
The project is necessary to enhance traffic efficiency and provide a continuous connection with multiple adjacent widening efforts to the west and east. As an SIS facility, I‑10 supports Florida’s goals for interregional connectivity, multimodal integration and economic development by enabling reliable movement of passengers and freight.
Hanson conducted a study to help FDOT determine the environmental requirements for widening S.R. 8 (I-10) in Gadsden and Leon counties from a typical four-lane to a six-lane section. The project limits were from west of S.R. 10 (U.S. 90) in Gadsden County to S.R. 263 (Capital Circle NW) in Leon County. The study assessed the project’s impact on the social, economic, cultural, natural and physical environments to develop the location and design concept.
