• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Prospect Road

State road projects will ease congestion

January 12, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Orange traffic cones and road signs signaling “a new traffic pattern” are a common sight for motorists, especially those traveling Pasco County’s state highway grid.

Amid COVID-19 lockdowns and now hopefulness that a vaccine could mean a return to normalcy, roadwork in Pasco County never stopped. Construction crews cleared rights of way, smoothed out dirt, buried pipes, paved new traffic lanes, landscaped medians, added pedestrian and bicycle lanes, and realigned existing roadways to ease traffic congestion in one of Tampa Bay’s fastest-growing counties.

Several major road projects from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be completed within the next four years. They include work on a new diverging diamond interchange at State Road 56 and Interstate 75, as well as projects on State Road 54 and State Road 52.

The construction schedules haven’t always met expectations.

Pasco County commissioners recently expressed displeasure with the slower than anticipated pace of project completions, especially on the diverging diamond. Pasco officials pushed to get the project started early, hoping for a spring 2021 completion. Instead, the schedule promises a summer 2022 end date, according to FDOT officials.

The new interchange is an entry and exit off I-75 onto State Road 56 where commercial and residential development is bringing new retail, hotels and residents to the area. Among the destinations are Cypress Creek Town Center, Tampa Premium Outlets and AdventHealth Center Ice.

The first completed road project is expected in late 2021 when work ends on the widening of State Road 54 east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road. The last project through the pipeline will be the widening and realignment of State Road 52 in summer 2024.

Here is a list of some major state road projects currently under construction in Pasco County:

Workers from Sodmore LLC, of O’ Brien, lay sod for the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56, just west of Willow Oak Drive. The new interchange, scheduled to be completed in summer 2022, is expected to relieve traffic snarls at the interchange. (Fred Bellet)

Interstate 75 at State Road 56 diverging diamond interchange
Construction began in January 2019, with a completion scheduled in summer 2022. The estimated cost is about $33 million.

The diverging diamond is a popular design innovation with a unique pattern that relies on multiple lanes of traffic in a crisscross pattern and a limited number of traffic signals.

This project is the first diverging diamond in District 7 of the FDOT. Others are planned in Hillsborough County at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and I-75; and at Gibsonton Drive and I-75.

FDOT’S website praises the diverging diamond for its ability to handle heavy traffic volumes, increased pedestrian safety, more efficient signal timings and fewer opportunities for vehicles to crash.

Interstate 75 at Overpass Road
Construction on a new diamond interchange, including changes to local road patterns, began in October 2020. Completion of the approximately $64 million project is scheduled for summer 2023.

The new interchange is located about 3.5 miles south of State Road 52. There will be a flyover for westbound Overpass Road access onto southbound I-75.

Overpass will be widened from two to four lanes between I-75 and Old Pasco Road, and to six lanes between I-75 and Boyette Road. Blair Drive will be realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road, and McKendree Road will be realigned to connect to Boyette.

Initially, crews will work in the southwest area of the project where a new neighborhood access road will be built at Old Pasco Road. It will replace the current Blair Drive link to Overpass.

Motorists westbound on State Road 54 make their way into Wesley Chapel as eastbound motorists head into Zephyrhills. The state road is being widened from two lanes to four lanes, with a median, to ease traffic congestion.

State Road 54 widening in the Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills areas
About 4.5 miles of State Road 54 will be widened from two lanes to four lanes from east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road.

Construction began in November 2017 and is scheduled for completion in late 2021. The estimated cost is $42.5 million.

In early November, eastbound traffic shifted onto newly paved lanes from west of Wesley Chapel Loop to New River Road. Simultaneously, Pasco is remodeling the New River Branch Public Library on State Road 54.

A sidewalk will be built on the north side of the roadway with a 10-foot-wide multi-use path on the south side.

State Road 52 widening and realignment near Dade City and San Antonio
The project will widen and realign State Road 52 between Uradco Place and Fort King Road.

Construction began in November 2019, with completion scheduled in summer 2024. The estimated cost is $81.4 million.

A short portion of McCabe Road between Curley Road and Wirt Road is closed until spring 2021. Williams Cemetery Road is closed east of Wichers Road and McCabe, also until spring 2021.

In addition, some daily lane closures, with flagmen signaling to motorists, can be expected on Curley, McCabe, Prospect Road and Clinton Avenue. A detour route is available using Curley, Prospect and Wirt.

State Road 52 widening in Land O’ Lakes
About 3.8 miles of State Road 52 will be widened into a six-lane divided road from Suncoast Parkway to east of U.S. 41.

Construction began in September 2019, with completion scheduled in late 2023. The estimated cost is $49.8 million.

A 12-foot-wide multi-use path will be built on the north side of State Road 52. In addition, about one mile of U.S. 41 will be widened as it approaches the intersection with the state road.

By Kathy Steele

Revised January 25, 2021

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: AdventHealth Center Ice, Blair Drive, Clinton Avenue, Curley Road, Cypress Creek Town Center, Diverging Diamond, FDOT, Florida Department of Transportation, Fort King Road, Gibsonton Drive, Interstate 75, Martin Luther King Jr. Bouleard, McKendree Road, Morris Bridge Road, New River Branch Public Library, New River Road, Old Pasco Road, Overpass Road, Prospect Road, State Road 52, State Road 54, State Road 56, Suncoast Parkway, Tampa Premium Outlets, U.S. 41, Uradco Place, Wesley Chapel Loop, Wichers Road, Williams Cemetery Road, Wirt Road

Construction crews busy on area road projects

January 8, 2020 By Brian Fernandes

Anyone who drives around Pasco County on a regular basis knows there aren’t many east-west roads that cut through the county’s vast expanse, and that it isn’t   a bit unusual to have to wait in traffic.

There are a number of projects, however, that are in the works, on the drawing board, or have been recently completed that are aimed at making life easier for Pasco motorists.

Of course, as more development arrives, more drivers use local roads — so complaints about “too much traffic” and “not enough roads” may persist, at least for the foreseeable future.

But, here is a look at some of what’s happening on the local transportation scene.

A diverging diamond interchange is under construction at the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange. The project, expected to wrap up by late 2021, aims to keep traffic flowing at the busy interchange.

Diverging Diamond Interchange
The diverging diamond interchange, currently in development, will reconfigure the current interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 to improve traffic flow at a location that frequently is bottlenecked, especially during peak traffic periods. Work on the $33 million project began in January 2019 and is expected to be completed by late 2021. For more details, visit FDOTTampaBay.com/project/262/430573-1-52-01.

Ridge Road Extension
Construction is expected to begin in January on the Ridge Road Extension, a project that Pasco County has been seeking to build for two decades. The project will create a third east-west corridor in the county, extending existing Ridge Road from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway, initially, and then to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. The extension will give drivers who are heading east or west across Pasco a new option. Currently, motorists heading east and west use State Road 52 or State Road 54. It also will be another evacuation route in the event of an emergency.

However, environmentalists have expressed concern about the project. The extension will run through the Serenova Tract of Starkey Wilderness Preserve. Tim Martin, chair of the Sierra Club Florida Conservation, said this will harm the preserve’s wetlands and its animals.

Phase one of the project costs an estimated $90 million. Phase two has not been funded yet. Construction completion is scheduled for the 2025-2026 timeframe.

State Road 54 widening, Zephyrhills to Wesley Chapel
State Road 54 is being widened from two lanes to four lanes, with a divided median, between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills. The 4.5-mile stretch will run east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road. The $42.5-million development is expected to finish by the Summer of 2021.

Interstate 75/Overpass Road interchange
This project will create a new access point onto Interstate 75 at Overpass Road. The project includes widening Overpass Road — between Old Pasco Road and I-75 — from two lanes to four lanes. To the east, Overpass Road will be expanded to six lanes, between I-75 and Boyette Road. Off Overpass Road, Blair Drive will connect to Old Pasco Road, and Boyette Road will connect with McKendree Road. These connections with Overpass Road will create new access points between Wesley Chapel and Dade City.

A new State Road 52 corridor is expected to be built, branching off from the existing one. It will be another means of heading further east in Dade City.

New State Road 52 alignment
A new alignment of State Road 52 will provide a new way to travel east through Dade City. The new stretch of road will run south of the existing State Road 52. It will begin east of the Bayou Branch Canal and continue east to the intersection of Prospect Road and Clinton Avenue. Clinton Avenue will be widened to a four-lane road leading to Fort King Road. The existing State Road 52 also will be widened to four lanes between Uradco Place and the Bayou Branch Canal. At Bayou Branch Canal, the existing corridor will branch off into the new one.

Improvements completed in 2019 include:

Widening of State Road 52, from Bellamy Brothers to Old Pasco Road
A 1.5-mile stretch of State Road 52 has been widened from Bellamy Brothers Boulevard to Old Pasco Road. The road was widened from two lanes to four lanes, with a median. There also is a multi-use path on the north end of State Road 52 and a sidewalk on the south end. Construction on the $13.4 million project started in 2016.

State Road 56 extension
A new 6-mile extension of State Road 56 has created a new east-west corridor, between Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel and U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills. The extension gives motorists an alternative to State Road 54, which also links the two communities. State Road 54 also is undergoing improvements. The State Road 56 extension is a four-lane road, divided by a median. It has a multi-purpose trail, a sidewalk and bicycle lanes. Traffic lights also were incorporated at Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301.

The right turn and left turn lanes for eastbound traffic on State Road 54 onto U.S. 41 have been extended. The improvement aims to reduce traffic backups for motorists heading onto U.S. 41. (File)

State Road 54, turning lane improvements
The right-turn and left-turn lanes on State Road 54 have been lengthened to ease turning movements and reduce congestion. The $1.1-million project provides more room in the turning lane for motorists who are heading east on State Road 54 and intend to turn onto U.S. 41. The change reduces wait time for motorists turning north or south onto U.S. 41. Another improvement modified the median opening where State Road 54 intersects with Hunt Road. The change allows eastbound traffic on State Road 54 the option of turning onto Hunt Road or making a U-turn. It allows westbound traffic to turn off of Hunt Road, but motorists coming from that direction can no longer make U-turns.

Published January 08, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Bayou Branch Canal, Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, Blair Drive, Boyette Road, Clinton Avenue, Diverging Diamond, Hunt Road, Interstate 75, Land O' Lakes, McKendree Road, Meadow Pointe Boulevard, Moon Lake Road, Morris Bridge Road, New Port Richey, Old Pasco Road, Overpass Road, Prospect Road, Ridge Road extension, State Road 52, State Road 54, State Road 56, Suncoast Parkway, U.S. 301, U.S. 41, Uradco Place

Higher density approved near Town of St. Leo

November 20, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has approved a land use change and rezoning to allow increased development at the edge of the Town of St. Leo, despite the Town’s objections.

The approved rezoning allows up to 600 dwellings, 340,000 square feet of commercial and 60,000 square feet of office on 177 acres at the southwest corner of State Road 52 and Prospect Road. Under the approved land use change, up to 300 additional dwellings would be allowed.

A barn now occupies the site.

The Town of St. Leo abuts the northwest portion of the property, and the site is surrounded by the Villages of Pasadena Hills Special Area Plan area.

County planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval on the requests for the land use and zoning changes.

But, the Town of St. Leo, represented by attorney Patricia A. Petruff, objected to the rezoning.

She said the requested density is incompatible with St. Leo’s character. She raised concerns about disrupting the view shed that residents in the town now enjoy.

“We had asked for some of those homes to be single-story. We had asked for enhanced landscaping,” Petruff said. “We don’t think the transitions are appropriate or adequate.”

She also said: “You are required to address visual intrusion.”

Planners and representatives for the applicant, however, said the proposed development is an appropriate transition between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and the Town of St. Leo.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite and planning consultant Matt Armstrong represented the applicant.

The new State Road 52 alignment goes through the property, and increased demand for development in the area is expected.

The plan calls for the main access to the property to be off of Prospect Road, south of the intersection of State Road 52, which is an existing signalized intersection.

Wilhite and Armstrong said the project will provide residential and non-residential options for services for students near campus. They also noted that conditions of approval for the project go well beyond the county’s land development code.

“We have brought forward a project that is the right project for this area, and does respect the area,” Wilhite said.

But, Petruff urged commissioners: “We’re respectfully requesting that you table this and direct staff to take another look at those transitions.”

Commissioner Mike Moore observed that aside from the Town’s attorney, no one else spoke in opposition. He made a motion to approve the request.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also noted that Saint Leo University is nearby.

“You’ve got a university that has a lot of density right there,” she said, before commissioners voted to approve the rezoning. The comprehensive plan amendment had been previously approved, in a separate vote.

Published November 20, 2019

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Barbara Wilhite, Kathryn Starkey, Matt Armstrong, Mike Moore, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Planning Commission, Patricia Petruff, Prospect Road, Saint Leo University, State Road 52, Town of St. Leo, Villages of Pasadena Hills

Town of St. Leo opposes increased density near its border

May 15, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of changes that would allow increased development on the edge of the Town of St. Leo, despite objections from Town leadership.

Planning commissioners unanimously recommended that a change to the county’s comprehensive land use plan be approved, as well as a change to zoning on 175 acres at the southwest corner of State Road 52 and Prospect Road.

Richard Christmas, mayor of St. Leo, urged planning commissioners to reject the proposed changes — which had received a recommendation of approval from the county’s staff.

Christmas said the increased density is not compatible with St. Leo’s rural character. He also cited concerns about disrupting the view shed the town now enjoys.

Planners and representatives for the applicant, however, said the proposed use of the land would be an appropriate transition between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and the Town of St. Leo.

The proposed land use change would allow a maximum of 900 dwellings, 340,000 square feet of commercial and 60,000 square feet of office.

The proposed master unit planned development zoning, which is being requested on the same acreage, would allow 600 dwellings, 340,000 square feet of commercial and 60,000 square feet of office.

The applicant requested 600 dwellings for both the land use and zoning changes, but the county’s staff recommended 900 dwellings for the land use change, to allow consideration of additional residential development if there’s a demand for it in the future, Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant, said at the May 9 public hearing.

The land is currently undeveloped, with the exception of a barn.

County planners said the development provides a transition between the Villages of Pasadena Hills and would step down in intensity, as it gets closer to the town. They also said the plan would provide bicycle/pedestrian connectivity to existing trails and would seek to prevent visual intrusion.

Christmas told the planning commission that the town has been concerned about the proposed density of the plan ever since initial discussions with the applicant in December 2018.

“The Town is OK with the current zoning. The current zoning is compatible with the zoning that’s across the street, State Road 52, which is Lake Jovita, one dwelling unit per gross acre. That’s what the zoning is right now. We’re perfectly fine with that.

“What is being proposed is going beyond what their current rights are to something way more dense,” he said.

In addition to the 900 units contemplated in the land plan change, there would be “the equivalent of 3 ½ Home Depots and 60,000 square feet of office space,” Christmas said.

“The Town (of St. Leo) requests denial of the proposed comprehensive plan change,” the mayor said.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, asked Christmas if the Town of St. Leo had objected when the Villages of Pasadena Hills was created.

Christmas said there would have objections to density like this on the town border.

But, Goldstein pressed him: “Did you show up at any county public hearing?”

Goldstein continued: “It’s just interesting to me that nobody from the Town was there when we were approving the Villages of Pasadena Hills, including when we were trying to decide whether to include this piece of property. The Town wasn’t there at all.”

This property initially was going to be included in the Villages of Pasadena, and was only dropped at the last minute, Goldstein said.

“The question for you is, if this was so egregious for this to happen, where was the Town the day whether we were deciding to keep it in Pasadena Hills or not? Where were you?” Goldstein said.

But, Christmas told Goldstein that was not the issue before the Planning Commission.

Matt Armstrong, representing the applicant, told planning commissioners: “Density in the right place and in the right way can be a good thing because it does conserve the land, instead of just spreading it (development) out all over the place, without any kind of respect for what’s there.”

The new State Road 52 alignment goes through the property, and there will be an increased demand for development in the area, Armstrong said.

The master plan for the zoning also call for decreasing the density, as it approaches the edge of the Town of St. Leo, Armstrong added.

“We’re residential to residential. That’s compatible.

“When you are up against the Town, it’s only single-family. You can’t have apartments there, you can’t have multifamily there. There can’t be townhouses there,” Armstrong said.

The pedestrian and bicycle connections will make it possible for people to get to where they need to go without having a car, he said.

Attorney Wilhite reminded planning commissioners: “The comp (comprehensive) plan frowns on a Res-1 density because that is the definition of sprawl. It’s inefficient land use pattern.

“Density is not your enemy,” she added. It allows for master drainage plans, streetlights, parks and sidewalks.

“We’re proud of this project. We think it would be a very good project and a good fit,” she said, asking the Planning Commission for its approval.

But, Christmas repeated his concerns.

“To be clear, the Town’s not saying no to development, just that the development next to the Town needs to be compatible with the Town, sensitive to the topography and is not an eyesore,” Christmas said.

Planning commissioners unanimously recommended approval of both the land use and rezoning for the property. The Pasco County Commission will have the final say on the requests.

Published May 15, 2019

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Barbara Wilhite, David Goldstein, Home Depot, Lake Jovita, Pasco County Planning Commission, Prospect Road, Richard Christmas, State Road 52, Town of St. Leo, Villages of Pasadena Hills

Land acquisition begins for road project

July 25, 2018 By Kathy Steele

The Pasco County Commission has given the go-ahead for land acquisition in preparation for a project to extend Clinton Avenue and realign State Road 52.

Planning for the major project began nearly 14 years ago, with a route study. Since then, there have been additional studies and public meetings, but no construction schedule.

In March, residents attended an open house to study maps and learn about the updates to a 2005 Curley Road Route Study, and review other road projects in northeast Pasco County. (File)

But, it wasn’t until July 10 that commissioners approved the project and authorized the acquisition of 69 parcels through eminent domain.

Construction is expected to begin in 2019.

The project will widen State Road 52 from two lanes to four lanes, from east of Uradco Place to east of Fort King Road, at the intersection with Clinton Avenue.

State Road 52 also will shift westward. And, a roundabout is planned at the intersection with Mirada Boulevard, an internal road for the master-planned community of Mirada.

Sufficient right of way will be acquired to accommodate a future six-lane road. The project is about 7 miles long.

The parcels are needed for right of way, as permanent and temporary easements, and to construct stormwater ponds for drainage.

To initiate eminent domain, county commissioners approved a resolution that shows a public purpose for the project.

According to county documents, the roadwork “will enhance mobility, improve traffic operations, and provide safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Various studies have focused on interconnecting segments of the proposed project.

In March, county officials invited residents to an open house to learn information on the Prospect Road/Happy Hill Road Route Study.

A similar open house was held in 2017, as part of efforts to update the Curley Road Route Study that originally was done in 2005.

Published July 25, 2018

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: Clinton Avenue, Curley Road, Fort King Road, Happy Hill Road, Mirada Boulevard, Pasco County Commission, Prospect Road, State Road 52, Uradco Place

County commissioners plan future road projects

March 28, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County commissioners favor a pair of road projects for segments of Curley Road and Prospect Road that are aimed at handling more traffic in a rapidly developing area of the county.

The roadwork is part of a network of projects, by the county and the Florida Department of Transportation, to improve connectivity with State Road 52, Clinton Avenue, Curley and Prospect roads.

Residents check out proposed road improvements in northeast Pasco County. (File)

In the next 20 to 30 years, traffic counts in the area are expected to triple, according to data from the road studies.

Road widening, realigned designs, and a roundabout are on the drawing board.

County commissioners reviewed two traffic studies and voted on recommended projects at their March 14 meeting in Dade City.

An open house for the Prospect Road/Happy Hill Road Route Study was held in 2017 and was attended by more than 50 people.

County commissioners considered four construction alternatives, as well as a no-build option.

One alternative shifted the road east; another went west; a third also went west, but with a roundabout. A fourth modified the westward option with the roundabout to avoid taking right of way from properties on the east side of Happy Hill Road.

The County Commission approved the modified option, as recommended by HDR, the study’s consultants.

The adjustment to Happy Hill eliminated seven parcels from a potential list of right of way purchases. Consultants said that was possible only with a roundabout.

An initial design with bicycle lanes striped off on the road shoulder and 5-foot sidewalks didn’t please Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

She asked consultants to consider a multi-use trail, on at least one side of the road, and to think about a link with the proposed Orange Belt trail. The bicycle lanes would be insufficient, she said.

“That doesn’t work for our families,” Starkey said. “They’re just not going to put their kids on the road.”

By 2041, traffic is expected to triple to about 24,000 vehicles per day, according to the study.

County commissioners also looked at two alternatives recommended in the Curley Road North Route Study.

The study was initially done in 2005, but was updated last year by URS Corporation Southern. It looked at Curley Road, from north of Wells Road to north of a realignment of State Road 52.

One alternative widened Curley Road to four lanes by acquiring right of way on both sides of the road, but generally follows the existing route. The second took a major share of right of way from the east side of Curley Road, from Wells Road to Kiefer Road. From there to McCabe Road, right of way would come from both sides of Curley, with the four-lane segment transitioning to two lanes north of McCabe Road.

Recommendations also were made on traffic signals versus a roundabout where Curley Road, Prospect Road and Mirada Boulevard meet.

Mirada Road is a new road that is part of the master-planned community of Mirada, which is within the Connected City corridor.

More than 60 area residents attended an open house in 2017 to look at maps, and offer public comment.

County commissioners opted for the second alternative, and the roundabout.

Published March 28, 2018

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: Clinton Avenue, Curley Road, Florida Department of Transportation, Happy Hill Road, Kathryn Starkey, Kiefer Road, McCabe Road, Mirada Boulevard, Pasco County Commission, Prospect Road, State Road 52, URS Corporation Southern, Wells Road

Pasco ‘super park’ land near Dade City

March 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County recently purchased 155 acres for a proposed “super park” at The Villages of Pasadena, off Prospect Road and Highland Boulevard, near Dade City.

The acreage is conservation land that is the second purchase of a three-phase acquisition process. When complete, the county will have nearly 320 acres for the super park.

Because the 155 acres will remain natural and be used for passive recreation, the $4.6 million purchase price will come from the Penny for Pasco funds set aside for the county’s Environmental Land Acquisition and Management Program (ELAMP).

However, the sale will be treated as a loan, with repayment in the form of park impact fees. Those fees will be collected from new residential and commercial development at The Villages master-planned community.

Also, new development within the Connected City corridor, including the master-planned community of Epperson, will contribute their share of park impact fees for the super park. A road is expected to link Connected City to the super park in The Villages.

“The county is still in the acquisition phase,” said Keith Wiley, the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources director.

Capital funds to design and build the park aren’t available as yet. The final land purchase of about 95 acres also must be negotiated, and approved by the Pasco County commissioners.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” Wiley said.

The inclusion of Connected City as a contributor of impact fees for the park should help in getting the needed funds, he added.

Pasco County commissioners approved the newest purchase in December. The sale closed in January.

When the park is built, it will essentially result in two parks that are the size of district parks, next to each other.

One will be kept in its natural state for passive recreation, such as walking trails and kayaking. It will provide access to Buddy Lake.

The other will be an “active” park with ball fields, playgrounds, trails and other amenities.

There also are plans to co-locate the active park area with a planned elementary school. Co-location is a trend, as the county seeks to make the most efficient use of funds.

The recently opened Starkey Ranch District Park, at Starkey Ranch, is an example of co-location. It was built in partnership with Pasco County Schools, which plans to build an elementary and middle school at the site.

Published March 14, 2018

Filed Under: Local News, Zephyrhills/East Pasco News Tagged With: Connected City, Dade City, ELAMP, Environmental Land Acquisition and Management Program, Epperson, Highland Boulevard, Keith Wiley, Pasco County Schools, Prospect Road, Starkey Ranch, Starkey Ranch District Park, The Villages, The Villages of Pasadena

Residents get preview of Curley Road project

December 13, 2017 By Kathy Steele

New development is changing the landscape in northeast Pasco County.

And, road projects – both state and local – are seeking to address road widenings and intersection improvements to handle a growing volume of vehicles along State Road 52, and its offshoots.

Residents check out proposed road improvements in northeast Pasco County. (Kathy Steele)

Residents had a chance on Dec. 6 to review proposals for road work on Curley Road, including its intersections with State Road 52, Prospect Road, and the future Mirada Boulevard.

New developments along Curley include Epperson, with its Crystal Lagoon, the future Mirada master-planned community, and the Villages of Pasadena.

Pasco County officials were available to answer questions about Curley. Residents also could leave written comments.

Pasco County commissioners are expected to get a report on the study in January. However, no funding is available for either design or construction of the project.

Work is not likely for several years.

“There may be further appropriations for improvements, but we don’t know yet,” said Panos Kontses, a Pasco County project manager.

The Curley Road Route Study Re-evaluation is an update of a study done in 2005, before new development began sprouting along Curley Road.

The original study reviewed Curley Road, from north of Wells Road to north of a realignment of State Road 52 that will link with an extension of Clinton Avenue. The new focus looks at one segment of the study from north of Tindall Boulevard up to the realigned state highway.

Pasco officials also sought comments on whether residents preferred traffic signals or roundabouts at intersections.

“I hate seeing (development), but you’re not going to stop it,” said area resident Jimmy Smith. “I’m just here seeing what they’re offering.”

In general, Smith said road plans seem to come too late and can’t keep up with growth.

“They’re always backwards, the cart before the horse,” he said.  “I just don’t have too much faith in how they’ll do the engineering,” he added.

Longtime resident Margaret Beaumont worried about where the county would take right-of-way. They should do so where there is more vacant land, and fewer businesses and homes that would be displaced, she said.

She also added: “I don’t like roundabouts.”

Resident John Gassler is worried that the Knights of Columbus building on Curley Road could lose frontage to right-of-way, or possibly even lose the building itself.

But, as a former Hollywood (Florida) resident, he doesn’t object to the roundabouts. Hollywood had three of them, and he became accustomed to driving through them, Gassler said.

According to county data, 27 parcels to 30 parcels would be affected by the project, with one business or two, and between four to seven homes needing relocation.

Estimated construction costs range from about $32 million to more than $35 million.

Before the county gets to Curley Road, the Florida Department of Transportation will begin construction on about 7 miles of the realigned State Road 52. That work should begin in fall 2019 and be completed in 2021.

The project will build a new four-lane road from Uradco Place to Prospect Road/Happy Hill Road, with two additional lanes added from Prospect and Happy Hill to west of Fort King Road. New traffic signals, a 7-foot bicycle lane, 6-foot sidewalk and 10-foot multi-use trail extending to Curley Road also will be built.

Pasco County is expected to contribute more than $4 million toward right-of-way purchases for a total project cost of more than $107 million, according to county records.

Published December 13, 2017

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Clinton Avenue, Crystal Lagoon, Curley Road, Epperson, Florida Department of Transportation, Fort King Road, Happy Hill Road, John Gassier, Knights of Columbus, Margaret Beaumont, Mirada Boulevard, Panos Kontses, Prospect Road, State Road 52, Tindall Boulevard, Uradco Place, Villages of Pasadena

Outlining a road map to tackle Pasco traffic problems

August 30, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County’s residential and commercial growth is causing more traffic headaches on the area’s roads.

At an Aug. 21 session, residents had a chance to learn about what’s planned to tackle the area’s congestion during The Pasco County Transportation Summit.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore hosted the event at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus, in Wesley Chapel.

A project that would ease traffic congestion on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, also known as County Road 54, is scheduled in fiscal year 2018. Planning calls for widening the road from two lanes to four lanes, from State Road 54/56 to Progress Parkway. (B.C. Manion)

Other panelists included David Gwynn, District 7 secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation; Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles; and, Hope Allen, chief executive officer and president of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, which recently merged with The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting focused on project updates for east Pasco and Wesley Chapel.

Audience members submitted written questions to the panel.

Their queries centered on current and future road projects; public transit; new technology, such as self-driving vehicles; and, passenger rail on CSX rail lines.

Charity Henesy-Brooks, who lives in the Meadow Pointe subdivision, said she came away with information she didn’t know before. “It’s good to know they are trying to get ahead of the (traffic) problem,” she said. “At least they have these goals.”

For Moore, the basic issue is how to build the right infrastructure to support economic development and meet residents’ needs.

Anyone who drives in the county knows the frustration of long waits in traffic, he said. “Relief is on the way. There are a lot of things on the way, but these things won’t come to fruition over night.”

At least one project has been sped up.

Construction of the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 will begin in 2018, about two years ahead of an initial start date. The unique engineering pattern eliminates left turns and most traffic signals, to quicken, and ease, traffic flow.

The interchange is at the epicenter of a growth boom in Wesley Chapel that includes Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center.

“It’s miserable. I get it,” said Moore. “I’m with you.”

Bilirakis said local governments will have federal funding available for their transportation projects.

President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise of $1 trillion in shovel-ready infrastructure projects. Congress is waiting on a specific proposal from the White House, Bilirakis said.

“The infrastructure piece is very much alive,” he said. “It’s a priority for the President, and it’s a priority for us in Congress. It’s a bipartisan effort and, God knows, we need that today.”

Bilirakis said he expected Congress to address tax reform early in 2018, and “then, we’re going to get to infrastructure.”

He also said the Ridge Road extension will benefit from an expedited review process implemented by the White House.

Pasco has lobbied for the extension for nearly 19 years as a necessary east-west road for hurricane evacuations. A permit is needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Environmentalists have opposed the project, which would cut through a portion of the Serenova Preserve. But, Bilirakis said, “We’re really moving the ball forward on this project.”

Lots of projects are on the horizon
The state department of transportation currently has a slate of road projects under construction, in design or in planning. In the past five years, the state agency has invested more than $640 million in Pasco, Gwynn said.

By late 2017, work on widening Interstate 75 from four lanes to six lanes from County Road 54 to State Road 52 will be completed, along with a redesign of the interchange.

To the west of I-75, work to widen State Road 52 from two lanes to four lanes, from Bellamy Brothers Boulevard to Old Pasco Road, will be done by summer 2018.

State Road 54 from Curley Road to Morris Bridge Road will go from two lanes to four lanes by fall 2020. A shared use path and sidewalks also will be built.

Work recently began on a four-lane extension of State Road 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills. Completion is scheduled by spring 2019.

Two projects are in design and scheduled to begin in 2019. One will widen State Road 52 from two lanes to six lanes, from west of Suncoast Parkway to east of U.S. 41, with a shared use path.

A second will realign State Road 52 from Uradco Place to West Fort King Road. A new four-lane road will run from Uradco Place to Prospect Road. From Prospect to Fort King, the existing road will widen from two lanes to four lanes.

A third project, with no construction start date, would widen State Road 52 from two lanes to four lanes from U.S. 41 to west of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard.

There are two unfunded projects in design stages that would both realign and widen Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills.

Bicycle lanes and sidewalks are being designed for County Line Road from Northwood Palms to west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2018.

Also, planning is underway on two projects to widen U.S. 301 from Fowler Avenue to State Road 56, and from State Road 56 to State Road 39.

A major reconstruction of the State Road 54 and U.S. 41 intersection is on hold while a local task force reviews options and makes a recommendation to the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Pasco has 48 road projects slated from 2017 to 2021 at an estimated cost of about $426 million. Almost all will be in east and central Pasco, Biles said.

The county will fund about half the cost, with the remainder coming from state and local funds, he said.

The expansion of Wesley Chapel Boulevard from State Road 54 to Progress Parkway, from two lanes to four lanes, is scheduled in fiscal year 2018. Sierra Properties, which is developing Cypress Creek Town Center, completed the initial segment of the project, and built an entrance into the mall from the boulevard.

In addition to increasing road capacity, the county is exploring options with new technology. For instance, adaptive traffic signals can be adjusted based on real-time conditions monitored via cameras a centralized command post.

This technology is being used in some areas of U.S. 19, and Biles anticipates that in the next five years it would be installed along other roadways.

Bilirakis is a fan of self-driving vehicles, which is an evolving technology. He is supporting federal legislation to ensure that such vehicles are adaptable to needs of seniors and disabled veterans.

The Congressman also agreed that partnerships with Uber and Lyft can enhance public transit by helping people reach bus stops.

Self-driving vehicles appeal to Land O’ Lakes resident Kelly Smith as a means of providing ride-sharing opportunities.

That would get more vehicles off the roads and lessen the need for parking, and potentially mean fewer roads would be needed, she said.

But, Smith, who is running against Moore for a seat on the Pasco County Commission, said, “I’m concerned that we’re not looking into the future.”

In response to a question about buying CSX rail lines for passenger service, Moore said he favors rapid bus transit.

“CSX does not give their lines away,” he said. “It’s very costly. Bus transit is more economical.”

Published August 30, 2017

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Charity Henesy-Brooks, County Line Road, CSX, Curley Road, Cypress Creek Town Center, Dan Biles, David Gwynn, Donald Trump, Florida Department of Transportation, Gall Boulevard, Gus Bilirakis, Hope Allen, Interstate 75, Kelly Smith, Land O' Lakes, Lyft, Meadow Pointe, Meadow Pointe Boulevard, Metropolitan Planning Organization, Mike Moore, Morris Bridge Road, Northwood Palms, Old Pasco Road, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County Transportation Summit, Pasco-Hernando State College, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, Prospect Road, Ridge Road, Serenova Preserve, Sierra Properties, State Road 39, State Road 52, State Road 54, State Road 56, Suncoast Parkway, Tampa Premium Outlets, The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, U.S. 19, U.S. 301, U.S. 41, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Uber, Uradco Place, Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Boulevard, West Fort King Road, Wiregrass Ranch

Primary Sidebar

Top Shelf Sports Lounge in Wesley Chapel

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

CONGRATULATIONS to Norah Catlin, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Catlin, a senior at Wiregrass Ranch … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to grow a tomato garden. Those interested can view the video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, all day, on March 8. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email . … [Read More...] about 03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to make green grilled cheese on March 9 at 4:30 p.m., for grades four to seven. To view the video, visit the Library Cooperative on Facebook or Instagram. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual poetry discussion group on “Female Power!” on March 9 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 16 and older, via Zoom. Participants can share a favorite poem or take part in discussions on poems about women or written by women poets. Themed poems will be sent out to help with the session. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a Technology Tuesday: Robots & Machines on March 9, through a curbside pickup activity. The kit will help kids learn more about technology, from robots to coding, through online and hands-on activities. The pickup is limited to 35 participants and must be reserved ahead of time. A book bundle can be included. Kits must be picked up between March 9 at 10 a.m., and March 13 at 5 p.m. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

03/10/2021 – Fandom trivia

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present Fandom Trivia: High School Musical on March 10 at 4 p.m., for grades eight to 12. Participants can test their knowledge of the High School Musical movies. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 03/10/2021 – Fandom trivia

03/10/2021 – Student-author book signing

Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey, will host a socially distanced book signing with student-author and illustrator Chris Angilell on March 10 at 10 a.m. Angilella is a first-time author who has Asperger's Syndrome. He wrote the book, "Dotty's Freckles," to "inspire people who have a disability, hoping to send a message that they are exceptional and can accomplish anything," according to a news release. The book was independently published last August and can be purchased on Kindle or in paperback through Amazon. The book signing will be outdoors. Masks will be required. Angilella will sign books for attendees who bring their own copies. A limited number of paperbacks also will be for sale at the event. … [Read More...] about 03/10/2021 – Student-author book signing

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
10h

This week in SPORTS: Land O’ Lakes Little League celebrates 50th anniversary. https://buff.ly/3rdDl4R

Reply on Twitter 1368607448744005638Retweet on Twitter 1368607448744005638Like on Twitter 1368607448744005638Twitter 1368607448744005638
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
6 Mar

Helping people get from place to place, safely. https://buff.ly/3v1BCSu

Reply on Twitter 1368245077110308870Retweet on Twitter 1368245077110308870Like on Twitter 1368245077110308870Twitter 1368245077110308870
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
5 Mar

Solution to Land O’ Lakes traffic jams still years away, if then. https://buff.ly/2Oky2lz

Reply on Twitter 1367882601093079041Retweet on Twitter 1367882601093079041Like on Twitter 13678826010930790411Twitter 1367882601093079041
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

Solution to Land O’ Lakes traffic jams still years away, if then

Helping people get from place to place, safely

Giving entrepreneurs tools they need to succeed

Zephyrhills discussing 911 dispatch

No plans to shutter Zephyrhills police department

Local Jewish temple gifted Torah

Save money, get back behind the wheel

Pasco County Fair lives up to its billing

Meals on Wheels looks to expand

Pasco Planning Commission seeks three volunteers

Operation Feed Pasco closes, amid success

It’s strawberry (shortcake) season again

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

Solution to Land O’ Lakes traffic jams still years away, if then

Helping people get from place to place, safely

Giving entrepreneurs tools they need to succeed

Zephyrhills discussing 911 dispatch

No plans to shutter Zephyrhills police department

Local Jewish temple gifted Torah

Save money, get back behind the wheel

Pasco County Fair lives up to its billing

Meals on Wheels looks to expand

Pasco Planning Commission seeks three volunteers

Operation Feed Pasco closes, amid success

It’s strawberry (shortcake) season again

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Sports Stories

Land O’ Lakes Little League celebrates 50th anniversary

Cypress Creek High coach earns regional honor

Saint Leo acrobatics coach steps down

Loving Hands Ministries golf tournament

First Tee – Tampa Bay awarded $100,000 grant

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   