Last week, on September 25, Orange County Chairman Richard Crotty led the first of 11 transportation committee meetings.

Although the group was split into subcommittees that deal with everything from rail options to land use, widening and improving I-4 – the region's transportation backbone – took center stage.

The Commission will meet weekly between now and December 18 focusing on a range of key transportation issues.  It will present its final report to Chairman Crotty on December 18.  The Orange County Commission will then hear from Chairman Crotty regarding the recommendations within the final report on January 7.

The Commission, chaired by Former Orlando Mayor Bill Fredrick, will include current Board of Governors Members, Lonnie C. Bell, Senior Operations Manager, Agere Systems; Patricia J. Engfer, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport; Orlando L. Evora, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, P. A.; John C. Hitt, President, University of Central Florida; and Percy R. Luney, Jr., Dean, Florida A&M University College of Law. Former Board Members include Rita Bornstein, President, Rollins College; George W. Koehn, Chairman/CEO, SunTrust Bank, Central Florida; Raiza Tamayo, Chief Executive Officer, American Paving Contractors Inc.; Derrick D. Wallace, President/CEO, Construct Two Group; and Richard J. Walsh, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, Darden Restaurants, Inc.

The group has one year to complete its recommendations. Bill Fredrick’s task will not be easy -- Metroplan Orlando, the regional transportation agency, says the area is $5 billion short of meeting its transportation needs over the next 20 years. The Commission has already gained wide support. Orlando Mayor Glenda Hood said she is excited about cooperating with the commission and helping it find money.