Palm Bay’s city manager is recommending a forensic audit of a so-called “interchange to nowhere” off Interstate 95 in southern Brevard County.
That’s on top of a state audit completed earlier this month. The Florida Department of Transportation finished construction in August of the St. Johns Heritage Parkway Interchange.
However, the connector to Babcock Street is still not complete.
The city of Palm Bay is using tax dollars to build the $16 million road - despite telling state officials in 2013 a developer who wanted the interchange moved would cover the bill. Republican State Representative Randy Fine asked for the state audit.
“And magically, the developer was never asked to pay the $16 million dollars, so the taxpayers of the city were stuck with the bill," Fine said. "Sixteen million dollars is a lot of money for us, it’s certainly a lot of money for a city of 100,000 people like Palm Bay that had to raise taxes to repave their roads.”
The interchange could open as soon as this month.
Palm Bay city manager Lisa Morrell told state officials she wants a forensic audit on top of a state audit completed earlier this month.
“We’ll be recommending to our city council for a forensic audit of that item as there is missing information," Morell said. "I cannot stand here today and say why we built a road when we said the developers were going to build the road. That is an outstanding question for me, and I would like it answered as well.”
State officials say it has cost $600,000 to have the interchange sit idle.
