By Kyle LoJacono
A $2.7 million extension of Sunlake Boulevard should be open in the next two weeks, but drivers will have to wait several years to reap any benefit from it.
That is because this new 3,000-foot extension, south off SR 54, connects to nothing.
“The current improvements will not access neighborhoods at this time,” said Deborah Bolduc, Pasco County’s program administrator of Engineering Services.
Eventually, the county plans to construct Loop Road, a new street that will connect neighborhoods and link Pasco and Hillsborough counties.
“Phase 1 will result in the initial two laning of this roadway segment from Loop Road to the Hillsborough County line and Phase 2 will expand the roadway to four lanes,” Bolduc said. “Phase 1 is programmed to start construction by December 2013 and Phase 2 is programmed to start construction by December 2015.”
Or maybe later, warned Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader.
“Even with so many projects being under funded, we are still seeing progress in Pasco County,” said Pasco Commissioner Ted Schrader. “Because of the economy being down we’ve had to re-evaluate this project like many others. The commissioners will need to take a closer look at funding any more projects.”
When it does open, the eventual connection of Sunlake through SR 54 and the future Loop Road into Hillsborough will likely reduce the confusion of people trying to find Sunlake High.
“I’ve had people tell me that they got lost trying to find the school because they got on the Hillsborough Sunlake and couldn’t find us,” said Sunlake principal Garry Walthall previously. “Apparently when they try and find directions online it takes people the wrong way. It should help people find the school once it’s done.”
But for now, the current project does nothing to make travel easier in Pasco or increase the connectivity with Hillsborough. Tampa-based RIPA & Associates is completing the project.
Sunlake Boulevard extension
Extending Sunlake 3,000 feet south
Cost: $2.7 million
COLLIER PARKWAY
The Pasco County project to extend Collier Parkway north to Parkway Boulevard has been at a standstill since WDG Construction Inc. was fired by the county in February.
Pasco County Chief Project Manager Robert Shepherd said he expects RIPA & Associates to be named the replacement company by the beginning of July. The bonding company that insures the project’s contract still has to finalize that selection.
The extension would be finished in May according to the original plans, but WDG had only completed 40 percent of the work when it was fired. The company’s contract was terminated because it was behind schedule and had let its workers and vehicle insurance expire, according to Pasco Chief Engineer Jim Widman.
Shepherd said the extension should be around the end of this year.
The original contract with WDG was worth $4.3 million. No additional county money will be needed to finish the extension to Parkway as all Pasco projects require the bonding company to pay for any additional cost beyond the contract.
The extension of Collier to Parkway is the first half of a larger project. Collier will eventually be taken north to Ehren Cutoff. The overall project is meant to ease traffic on US 41 by allowing those living in the area to take Collier south to bypass the congested highway. The contract for the second step has not gone out for bid yet.
Deborah Bolduc, program administrator for Pasco County Engineering Services, said the second part will not be planned until 2013 or 2014 and will not be completed until at least 2015 or 2016.
Some places besides neighborhoods affected by the extension include Pine View and Lake Myrtle elementary schools, Pine View Middle, Academy at the Lakes, the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center and Our Lady of the Rosary Church.
SR 56 CONNECTION
Construction to complete the extension of SR 56 and Mansfield and Meadow Pointe boulevards in Wesley Chapel began again June 22.
Pasco County Chief Project Manager Robert Shepherd said there is 20 to 25 days of construction left to be finished when the work restarted. He said he expects it to be completed by the end of July.
RIPA & Associates replaced WDG Construction Inc. in finishing the project after the latter was fired by the county in February. WDG had its contract with the county terminated after it allowed its workers and vehicle insurance to expire, according to Pasco Chief Engineer Jim Widman.
Shepherd said much of the road construction has been completed and most of what is left is work on signage and traffic signals.
The connection will give people an alternative route for people during the widening of SR 54. Instead of driving through that construction site, people can drive south through Meadow Pointe until it connects with SR 56 or vice versa. Meadow Pointe was recently repaved as part of normal maintenance of the road, which has strengthened the boulevard for the increased traffic.
Once the connection is complete, new bus routes will be drawn up by the Pasco School District. Students who live in and around Meadow Pointe are zoned for Wiregrass Ranch High and Dr. John Long Middle, which are located on Mansfield.
The connection will change 18 bus routes, according to Pasco School District spokeswoman Summer Romagnoli. She said the new road will cut time and miles from these routes.
The road will also bring increased traffic by the Shops at Wiregrass.
Greg Lenners, general manager at the shops, has said the opening will be perfect for the businesses because it is right before the back-to-school sales. Lenners also lives in Meadow Pointe and said he thought the connection would cut about nine miles from his driving each day.
