Central Florida is experiencing tremendous growth, attracting thousands of new residents and businesses each year. This surge brings challenges, leading to a corresponding need for enhanced infrastructure, particularly in transportation. Kevin Freeman, PE, was recently named Director of Project Development and Environmental Services (PD&E)/National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Services in the Orlando office, helping local government and transportation clients move critical transportation projects forward, paving the way for a thriving and interconnected region.
With a background as a PD&E Project Manager at VHB for more than 17 years, Kevin brings an integrated approach to projects combining transportation engineering, planning, environmental services, and stakeholder engagement. We sat down with Kevin to learn more about the impactful projects underway with his new role.
VHB: What are you looking forward to the most as Director of PD&E/NEPA?
Kevin: Our team really excites me, especially with their capabilities and subject matter expertise in areas like public involvement and environmental analysis. With the vast knowledge of our PD&E team, we have significant support in identifying new opportunities and expanding our reach into new Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) districts and different municipalities. This forward-looking approach and the positive ways we can impact our communities are what excites me about the position and the future.
VHB: How do PD&E services integrate environmental, social, and economic considerations within transportation projects?
Kevin: PD&E studies are the center point for considering environmental, social, cultural, and physical impacts in major transportation projects, like road widening or new alignments. The main aim of a PD&E study is to minimize these impacts while providing the greatest benefits to the community.
We do this by evaluating different alternatives and looking at various ways to minimize negative impacts while still achieving the project's goals. It's about finding a balance between meeting the project's purpose and need while being mindful of the environment and the community. The PD&E study plays a critical role in identifying and minimizing potential impacts throughout the project to create the most beneficial solution for everyone involved.
VHB: Your team is working on a Truck Parking Project in DeLand and the SR 10 Multi-Use Trail in Walton County. Could you give us an overview of these projects and their significance to the community?
Kevin: Starting with the truck parking project, it's addressing a nationwide issue. Truck drivers have to find places to park and rest each day as required by law, but it’s often a big challenge for them due to the lack of locations that allow trucks to park. Statistics show that sometimes drivers spend more than an hour just looking for a spot, and some end up parking in unsafe areas.
When FDOT took on this initiative, they identified the I-4 corridor in District 5 as a major underserved area for truck parking. Through extensive analysis of the interchanges along the interstate, we identified the best candidates for these locations. We pinpointed five spots throughout the district for potential parking facilities. We are currently helping manage a $180 million INFRA grant funding to speed up the design, right-of-way acquisition, and construction. FDOT’s goal is to have all five sites completed before 2030. This is a crucial transportation safety project for Central Florida.
The SR 10 project in DeFuniak Springs is a trail study designed to improve connectivity in the community. There are still underserved areas in Florida with little to no bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure, especially along US 90, where there are no sidewalks or bike lanes. Even within the city, the sidewalks are narrow, and there’s minimal bike infrastructure. This trail will enhance safety and connectivity for users throughout the town.
The City of DeFuniak Springs is very excited about this project and has supported it from the beginning. It’s part of the SUN Trail network, a significant regional trail system in Florida, making it a high-priority project. This trail is set to really enhance the sense of community and connectivity in the town!
When widening corridors, we evaluate all possible safety enhancements. Our projects consider not just operations and cost but also the potential to reduce crashes and improve safety for all users.
VHB: At the very beginning of this conversation, you mentioned you were excited about your team. How did the PD&E team evolve at VHB Orlando? How do we partner with teams across markets, services, and offices?
Kevin: When it comes to partnering, our PD&E team collaborates with nearly every group in the Orlando office, as well as our colleagues on the Gulf Coast and in Atlanta, primarily within the Southeast region. This broad collaboration allows us to integrate a variety of service lines into our projects effectively.
PD&E projects focus on engineering, environmental, and public involvement, requiring the knowledge of almost everyone in our office. For instance, we often collaborate with our land development team to understand the private sector's needs and trends. This helps us anticipate what our projects might require to support growth in the area.
By involving so many different team members, we benefit from various perspectives and ideas, which enrich the quality of our projects. This comprehensive approach keeps us consistently delivering high-quality, well-rounded solutions for our clients.
VHB: Looking to the future, what are your hopes and expectations for the growth and impact of VHB’s transportation practice in the communities we work with?
Kevin: My expectations for growth are to continue expanding the communities we work with. While maintaining our status as trusted advisors to our existing clients, we aim to extend our high-quality services to new communities so that we can deliver the same level of excellence.
Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn and learn more about Project Development + Environmental Services at VHB.
