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New Transportation Mobility Advisory Commission set to hold first meeting in Orlando

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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County’s new Transportation Mobility Advisory Commission (TransMAC) will meet for the first time on Thursday.

It comes after voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 7 in November, which created the commission to help guide transportation decisions moving forward.

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The recently approved seven member commission will hold public meetings, listen to community input, and make recommendations to county leaders about future transportation projects and policies.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has long made transportation a priority, and the creation of TransMAC is just the latest effort to tackle the issue.

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Brett Blackadar from Orange County Public Works said the committee will provide a fresh perspective on transportation and offer guidance on how to improve mobility in the area.

“We see it as a way to elevate the importance of transportation in Orange County,” Blackadar said. “You have an independent group that’s looking at transportation ... and is advising the board on that.”

TransMAC will also review past projects, help shape future ones, and come up with new ideas to improve transportation across the county.

With the county’s transportation needs growing, the new commission is seen as a needed step toward long-term solutions.

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After a failed sales tax referendum in 2022, the county still pushed forward with efforts like the Accelerated Transportation Safety Program, which put $100 million into improving transportation safety.

“I think part of it is the mayor has been since he started looking to find a long-term solution to funding transportation, Blackadar said.

“Obviously when he goes around the community everyone agrees that there is a need for transportation improvement.”

The first TransMAC meeting is open to the public and will happen Thursday at 6 PM in the Commission Chambers at the Orange County Administration Building.

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