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TALLAHASSEE — State transportation officials have extended talks on the future of Alligator Alley as they amass more information on proposals by at least eight vendors that want to lease the pathway through the River of Grass.

A meeting scheduled for Friday to review proposals from private vendors was postponed until at least next week as state regulators seek more time to review plans to privatize the 78-mile section linking Naples to Florida’s east coast.

Instead, the department plans to re-issue the proposal required by lawmakers earlier this year to explore leasing the roadway to private firms for initial revenues totaling billions of dollars.

“Upon reviewing the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)…it is apparent the best interest of the state is served by reissuing the RFQ with further clarification of the necessary submittal requirements,” the agency said in an announcement released late Friday afternoon.

Dick Kane, spokesman for the Department of Transportation, said Friday the agency will continue to review proposals to lease the roadway as part of a bill passed by lawmakers earlier this year that requires the department to explore privatizing Florida’s major toll roads.

“We’re still evaluating the materials so it became apparent that we needed more time,” Kane said.

Signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist, the measure requires officials to re-exam the state’s system of turnpikes and freeways to determine the most economically feasible way to maintain the thoroughfares.

In April, DOT officials made public intentions to put the alley up for rent. Critics argue tolls will be hiked to $10, funding for Everglades restoration will be neglected or income from the alley’s lease will be spent outside Collier and Broward counties.

With the recent announcement of the eight potential suitors looking to lease the 78-mile road, alley-watchers are a little closer to understanding what the Naples-to-Fort Lauderdale road might look like under private custody

E-mail Michael Peltier at mpeltier123@comcast.net