The Laker/Lutz News

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

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

State Road 39

Collaboration creates connectivity

By

The opening of the State Road 56 Extension between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills has a personal benefit for Alora Butler, a student at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

She said the new road segment will cut her 30-minute commute to school in half.

Greg Lenners, general manager of The Shops at Wiregrass, expects to see an uptick in business, as the extension of State Road 56 over to the Zephyrhills area makes it easier for shoppers to get to the mall. (Christine Holtzman)

It also reduces the time that the Zephyrhills resident spends on the road, to get to leisure activities or do her banking in Wesley Chapel.

The new 6-mile stretch also makes life easier for her husband, too, as he makes his commute to work at a warehouse in Land O’ Lakes.

Butler is just one of the thousands who can now opt for a shorter, or less congested route, to and from the east side of Pasco County.

Kevin O’ Farrell, provost at the Porter Campus, near the intersection of State Road 56 and Mansfield Boulevard, said he thinks the new road will even help students perform better academically.

Less time in traffic means less stress, in O’ Farrell’s opinion. And, because of that, he said, students “are more mentally ready to engage in class, they’re ready to focus more on their coursework.”

Greg Lenners, general manager for The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel, expects the mall to experience an uptick in business because of the better access for shoppers coming from the east.

Laura Zimmerman, who lives on Meadow Pointe Boulevard, is happy to have another option for traveling to Zephyrhills. (Christine Holtzman)

Patrons at the mall said they’re glad to see the new road connection.

“I think it will ease the congestion and offer other alternatives,” said Laura Zimmerman, who lives on Meadow Pointe Boulevard and travels frequently to Zephyrhills.

McKenna Alkishawi, who lives in Zephyrhills, said the new route is “definitely 100 percent” beneficial.

Another Zephyrhills resident — Brenda Maass — is happy there’s a new way to get to Morris Bridge Road, where she can then head north at the new intersection.

For Zephyrhills resident John Skidmore, the new connection makes it easier for both him and his mother to get to doctor appointments.

“It’s about time. It’s going to be great,” Skidmore said.

Brenda Maass, a Zephyrhills resident and retiree, now has an alternative route in State Road 56 to visit friends and shop in the Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes region. (Christine Holtzman)

Donna Pacheco, a Wesley Chapel retiree, is pleased to have a more convenient way to get to Zephyrhills, where she goes three to four times a week to visit her brother, son and grandchildren.

“It’s really about time that they did that (extended the road),” she said.

Bill Cronin, president/CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., sees other benefits that improved connectivity will create.

“You’ve got the (State Road) 56 extension. You’ve got the potential widening of (U.S.) 301 in the north of the county, as well as the alignment of Clinton Avenue and (State Road) 39, which now starts to make us look a little more connected to Polk and some of those areas that we can access.

“We end up being much more strategically located for distribution activity,” Cronin said.

Numerous sources said the project’s success hinged on the collaboration of elected leaders and staff at the state, county and city levels; private landowners; and involved citizens.

Melonie Monson, executive director for The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, said local efforts played a vital role in securing a four-lane road.

McKenna Alkishawi is a Zephyrhills resident who often travels into Wesley Chapel on her leisure time. The USF student said that the new State Road 56 extension will be ‘100 percent’ beneficial in cutting down her commute time. (Christine Holtzman)

“There were a lot of letters written to legislators, to city officials, to government officials — and everybody decided to work together,” Monson said.

Vonnie Mikkelsen, now president and CEO of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce in Oregon, recalls those efforts. “It didn’t come top down. It came grassroots up,” she said.

“Honestly, it was a question of: Why hasn’t this happened sooner?” Mikkelsen said.

She credited then State Rep. Danny Burgess for playing a leading role.

“He listened and he understood immediately,” she said.

But, he wasn’t the only one.

“Our local government officials, they understood the importance. Our airport manager at the time, understood the opportunity that it presented. The Pasco EDC (knew, too).

“Everybody really rallied around the idea, even in the context of the first answer being, ‘No. No way.’

“Quite honestly, we thought, ‘OK. That’s not the final answer,’” Mikkelsen said.

“What really sealed the deal were some conversations at the state level.

Kevin O’ Farrell, provost at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, said the extension of State Road 56 will reduce commute times for students and staff traveling to the campus, near the intersection of Mansfield Boulevard and State Road 56. (Brian Fernandes)

“Lo, and behold, there was an opportunity. It required some innovative and creative thinking, and some collaborative partnerships at the local level to make it happen.”

Burgess, now executive director for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, agreed: “The public-private partnership aspect, and the various levels of  governments that were involved in this, was really a huge success story, and an example of what can happen when everybody comes together for the common good of a community.”

The partnership resulted in a $22,750,000 loan for the third and fourth lanes of the project, with the loan to be repaid by private development partners through a mobility fee surcharge and a special assessment, if necessary.

The City of Zephyrhills agreed to reimburse the county for 10 percent of any loan shortfall paid for by the county. The contractor, Cone & Graham Inc., also agreed to include all costs associated with the design, permitting and construction, and other costs within the loan amount.

It’s a success that Burgess said he will savor.

“In the Legislature, and politics, in general, you know — in this line of work — you somewhat have to get used to defeats more than victories, if I’m going to be quite honest with you. You actually have to learn to live with that.

“But, then a victory like this happens. It’s validation. This is why you do what you do. You fight every day, because when you do something this big — this will have a profound impact on your community,” he said.

State Road 56 Extension

  • $59.7 million project
  • Runs from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills
  • Signalized intersections added at Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301
  • Road design is curved, to minimize wetlands disruption
  • Amenities include: 10-foot multi-use path; 5-foot sidewalk; 7-foot-wide bicycle lanes on both shoulders

By B.C. Manion and Brian Fernandes

Published July 17, 2019

Zephyrhills plans for future industrial hub

By

The City of Zephyrhills is developing a master plan aimed at increasing high-wage industrial jobs and boosting the region’s economy.

Called the Zephyrhills Industrial Corridor Plan, it focuses on a large grouping of industrial properties and adjacent areas within the Chancey Road corridor, near the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The City of Zephyrhills is developing a master plan aimed at increasing high-wage industrial jobs and benefits. The proposed Zephyrhills Industrial Corridor plan is long-range in nature, geared at guiding growth and development for the next 20 years or so. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The proposed master plan industrial project is long-range in nature, geared at guiding growth and development for the next 20 years or so.

Details of the preliminary plan were shared by urban planning consultant Tammy Vrana at a June 10 city council meeting.

The planning area is generally bound by Melrose Avenue to the north, the CSX Transportation railroad and U.S. 301 to the west, Pattie Road to the south, and Barry Road and the Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area to the east.

It encompasses approximately 9.76 square miles (6,248 acres), including 33 percent within Zephyrhills and the remainder in unincorporated Pasco County, representing the largest aggregation of industrial lands in Pasco.

According to the draft plan, about 1,630 acres of that has already been designated for industrial land use, and another 215 acres for commercial. About 631 acres consists of existing residential property.

Two CSX mainline railroads traverse the area, the plan shows, accessible to Port Tampa Bay and the CSX Central Florida Intermodal Logistics Center.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, a general aviation airport, also is located in the heart of the plan area, which can accommodate needs of business travelers.

In her presentation, Vrana underscored the need for Zephyrhills to begin planning now for industrial development, and finding ways to identify and recruit employment-generating manufacturing companies.

“There’s no better way to growing your middle class,” Vrana said, “than having good paying, industrial jobs.

“It diversifies your economy, so you’re not relying on just a couple of industries segments, and that way you’re better able to weather economic cycles,” she said.

Vrana explained an industrial corridor would help bring in dollars from outside the community, which she said in turn creates more business activity within local shops, restaurants and so on.

Shown here is the planning area for the Zephyrhills Industrial Corridor, generally bound by Melrose Avenue to the north, the CSX Transportation railroad and U.S. 301 to the west, Pattie Road to the south, and Barry Road and the Upper Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area to the east. It encompasses approximately 9.76 square miles (6,248 acres), including 33 percent within Zephyrhills and the remainder in unincorporated Pasco County.

“The revenues that you get from sales tax and property taxes…those things go to pay for your public services and amenities that are enjoyed by the entire community,” said Vrana.

Vrana stressed the need for the city to form partnerships with the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to create a “beltway” network of four-lane roads and more roadway connectivity to the interstate system. Investing in other infrastructure and operational improvements to reduce congestion and increase the efficiency of freight movement are needed, too, she said.

Quality of infrastructure is typically the top criteria for companies in deciding to relocate or move to a particular area, the consultant noted.

Vrana told the council: “You need to consider hard infrastructure, the things that you typically think about, but also those soft infrastructure assets such as education, public-private partnerships and just simple networking opportunities for community businesses.”

Vrana went on to identify potential opportunities for commercial development and placemaking around State Road 39 and Chancey Road.

She said that area could be utilized for retail, hotel, gas station and more. It also can incorporate some recreational accents, perhaps an extreme bike course and walking trails “to make the area a little bit nicer for walking, shopping, and as a workplace,” Vrana said.

“Just because it’s an industrial area doesn’t mean that it can’t look nice, that it can’t be spruced up, and have some nice trees and landscaping,” Vrana said.

The city’s industrial master plan is being funded through a technical assistance grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

The planning process for the master plan began in January. That included gathering relevant information and organizing a series of workshops, stakeholder’s meetings and open houses.

Vrana said next steps for the drafted plan include sketching up detailed conceptual layouts “and just look at the different things the city and its partners can do to increase business in this area.”

Additional opportunities for public input will be offered in late summer following development of plan illustrations and other refinements based on community feedback.

“I think that we all recognize the importance Zephyrhills of the industrial corridor brings us,” council president Ken Burgess said. “I’ve attended some of those workshops and meetings, and they’re very informative. And, there’s a lot of great discussion and feedback that I’ve seen, and I like the way the goals tie not into not just when you think about an industrial corridor, but the entire city and education, and all that.”

Councilman Lance Smith also voiced his approval of the industrial corridor initiative, but believes the city also must find ways to maintain its small-town vibe in the face of growth.

Smith put it like this: “I mean, I love going out to Wesley Chapel, but I would never live there, O.K. It’s a wonderful place to visit, but I like out downtown, I like our small town charm.”

Published June 19, 2019

Construction crews busy on roadwork in Pasco County

By

When it comes to construction activity on Pasco County roads, State Road 52 is a hotspot.

At least that was the message that David Gwynn, secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District Seven, delivered during the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s breakfast meeting.

Gwynn briefed the audience on the state transportation department’s current and upcoming projects in Pasco, during the June 4 session at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Construction barrels, like these, have been a familiar sight on State Road 52, as work has been done to widen the road. (File)

“We’re trying to address some of our major issues we have in the transportation system in the region,” the transportation secretary told the crowd. “The State Road 52 Corridor is one that we’ve really put a lot of money into in the last few years, and we’re going to continue to do that in the near future.”

Among the projects, the state DOT is widening State Road 52, from the Suncoast Parkway to the east of U.S. 41.

That stretch will be expanded to six divided lanes.

It is currently under design, with construction expected to begin later this year, Gwynn said.

Heading from east of U.S. 41 to west of County Road 581 (Bellamy Brothers Boulevard), State Road 52 will be expanded to four divided lanes.

State Road 52 also will be expanded to four divided lanes from County Road 581 to Old Pasco Road, with that project expected to be completed this year.

In 2020, the state DOT expects to widen U.S. 41 to a four-lane road, from just south of State Road 52 to Connerton Boulevard.

The biggest project, Gwynn said, will introduce a new State Road 52 route to U.S. 301.

That project involves widening the road to four lanes, beginning at the intersection of State Road 52 and Uradco Place, extending to the Bayou Branch Canal.

East of the canal, a brand new four-lane State Road 52 will branch off (south of existing State Road 52) and eventually will merge with Clinton Avenue.

This new alignment, expected to begin this fall, will provide an additional route from Interstate 75 to U.S. 301.

When that project is completed, the existing State Road 52 will be turned over to Pasco County to become County Road 52.

U.S. 301 is scheduled for several improvements, too.

There are plans to repave U.S. 301 from Pond Avenue to the north of Long Avenue. And, another project will widen the stretch from County Road 54 (Eiland Boulevard) to north of Kossik Road into six lanes.

David Gwynn is the secretary of District Seven for the Florida Department of Transportation. On June 4, at Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel, he informed an audience about Pasco County’s new road projects. (Brian Fernandes)

Another project would expand U.S. 301 to four lanes south of State Road 56 to south of State Road 39. That two-mile project is expected to include a median, as well as a bike lane, sidewalk and a shared-use path.

Another two-fold project is under evaluation on U.S. 301, Gwynn said.

That project would expand the stretch from State Road 39 to Corey Street in Downtown Zephyrhills. Then, branching out from the Corey Street intersection would be two newly built one-way roads.

Each road would hold three lanes, run parallel to U.S. 301 and end just south of County Road 54.

Gwynn also mentioned the plans to add another entrance in Wesley Chapel from Interstate 75.

The new diamond interchange would connect Overpass Road to the interstate by way of a flyover ramp.

Overpass Road would be accommodated with two additional lanes from its intersection with Old Pasco Road to the exit ramp getting off the interstate.

From the ramp, to the intersection with Boyette Road, Overpass Road would be widened to six lanes. No start date has been determined yet, Gwynn said.

The director also revealed that Wesley Chapel is one of five areas being studied as a possible public transportation hub for traveling cross-county.

It would afford commuters traveling out of Pasco County to neighboring Hillsborough County an alternative from personal transportation.

And, Gwynn informed attendees of the new Florida legislation to build three multi-use corridors, adding new toll roads as well.

“The main purpose of them is to revitalize some of the rural communities that may have been left behind as Florida has prospered – to encourage job creation in these areas,” the director said.

One local corridor will be the Northern Turnpike Connector, which will bridge the Florida Turnpike northwest to the Suncoast Parkway.

Construction on the corridors is set for late 2022.

Gwynn also mentioned that the construction of the long-awaited diverging diamond in Wesley Chapel is still progressing.

The project, which is reconfiguring the State Road 56 bridge overpassing Interstate 75, will crisscross eastbound and westbound lanes upon reaching the bridge.

Four through lanes and two left-turn lanes will make up the westbound road on the south end of the bridge, to better accommodate heavier traffic flow. The eastbound road will hold only three lanes on the north end.

The project is still set to be completed in late 2021, Gwynn said.

Published June 12, 2019

Development projects underway in Zephyrhills

By

Much development is on tap for the city of Zephyrhills — from new commercial and residential properties, to ongoing road construction projects.

Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg discussed a number of those projects as the guest speaker of the East Pasco Networking Group’s February breakfast meeting.

Among the most ballyhooed is the Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Tennis Center, which will be situated west of Simons Road.

Zephyrhills city planner Todd Vande Berg discussed several city development projects at a recent East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting at IHOP in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss)

The speaker said the $3.5 million project is expected to break ground in May or June: “We’re getting real close with the final engineered site plan, as well as the architect plans.”

The facility will include a mix of 11 full-size outdoor clay courts and hard courts, including an exhibition court to attract various United States Tennis Association (USTA) sanctioned tournaments.

It also will feature multiple pickleball and padel courts, racquet sports “becoming more and more popular,” Vande Berg said.

Meanwhile, the indoor portion of the center will include a lobby and seating area, community room, kid’s club room, fitness center, plus “other unique elements,” like cryotherapy and salt room chambers. Additionally, Wesley Chapel-based Buttermilk Provisions restaurant will have an in-house bakery and coffee shop with artisan offerings.

The project is a public-private partnership between the city and Tennis P.R.O and its owner, Pascal Collard, who will operate and manage the tennis facility.

The tennis center is named after Vande Berg’s daughter, a former Zephyrhills High School district champion, who died in an automobile accident at the age of 21 in October 2015.

Much of the project’s funding is being offset by various impact fees and grants, Vande Berg said.

The city planner believes the tennis center could have international draw.

He said the USTA recently inquired about having the facility someday host matches for the Fed Cup, regarded as the premier international team competition in women’s tennis.

“It’s going to be a unique opportunity for all Pasco County and the region,” Vande Berg said of the tennis facility. “It’s going to be a huge deal.”

The speaker also noted some indoor/covered tennis courts could potentially be phased in later, at the discretion of the facility’s management team.

“That would make us very unique in the state of Florida, because there’s only one other facility in the state that offers that,” he said.

Also in the arena of business development, Vande Berg mentioned the city is working on a master plan for its industrial corridor — which encompasses about 4,000 untapped acres of property along the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport — to create a regional hub for light manufacturing companies.

Vande Berg said the master plan ties in with the four-lane extension of State Road 56 to U.S. 301.

The speaker noted Zephyrhills is also pursuing an additional extension to State Road 56 that would link to State Road 39; the city received $1 million in the Florida 2019 budget to fund a planning study for the project.

“One thing that we’ve heard from some manufacturers was, ‘Well, we need access to a four-lane road,’” Vande Berg said, “so that’ll make a big difference.”

Aside from trying to expand its industrial footprint, other commercial projects are in the works in Zephyrhills.

The city is set to get a Chick-Fil-A, Aldi Supermarket, PetSmart, Marriott Fairfield Hotel and Dollar General, along with other businesses.

Florida Medical Clinic is also undergoing a major health care facility expansion along Eiland Boulevard and Simons Road, Vande Berg said.

“There’s a lot going on in Zephyrhills,” the city planner said.

Vande Berg also touched on the city’s residential development, noting thousands of new homes and apartments will be coming online in the next decade.

Some of the larger developments include The District at Abbott’s Square, Zephyr Lakes, Hidden River, and expansions to the Silver Oaks and Silverado communities, while Wire Ranch Apartments and Pretty Pond/Wire Road Apartments are some the larger multifamily units in the works.

“The residential housing is booming,” Vande Berg said. “We have a couple thousand units coming on board and they’re not all retirees. A lot of these homes are single-family, younger families with kids.”

Published March 06, 2019

Pace of Pasco’s road construction picking up in 2019

By

It’s no secret that dealing with traffic congestion is a way of life for Pasco County residents.

Whether they’re commuting to work, taking the kids to school, going grocery shopping, heading to a doctor’s appointment or taking care of myriad daily needs, there’s good chance motorists will get stuck in traffic and have to wait for traffic lights to cycle at intersections.

Traffic is backed up, on the access road from Interstate 75, heading to State Road 56. (Fred Bellet)

Getting anywhere can be a hassle at peak traffic hours — regardless of the direction drivers are going.

The good news is that 2019 is likely to go down as a banner year with respect to the number of projects aimed at improving traffic flow.

Here’s a look at what is underway, planned for construction, or under study for possible improvements, based on presentations by Florida Department of Transportation officials, transportation department fact sheets and previous reporting by The Laker/Lutz News.

The Diverging Diamond
One massive project, set to get underway this month, is called the Diverging Diamond Interchange.

It aims to reduce congestion at the Interstate 75-State Road 56 interchange, through a reconfiguration of the intersection, in an area between County Road 54 and Cypress Ridge Boulevard.

Eastbound traffic on State Road 54 at the Interstate 75 underpass.

The new design is expected to improve traffic flow, thus reducing travel time for motorists.

The estimated construction cost is $33 million, and the project is expected to take three years to complete.

Extension of State Road 56
Another significant project involves the extension of State Road 56, beginning at Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel and ending at U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

Work on this 6-mile extension began in 2017. It has an estimated construction cost of $59.1 million.

Initially expected to be completed in the fall, the road could open as early as this spring, David Gwynn, secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation District 7, said during the Discover Dade City symposium in November.

The project includes a four-lane road, with a 10-foot multi-use trail on the south side of the road and a 5-foot sidewalk on the north side. There will be 7-foot bicycle lanes on the shoulders, in each direction.

Northbound traffic on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41, stacks up and waits for the traffic light to turn green.

New signalized intersections also are being built on Morris Bridge Road, where the new State Road 56 crosses it, and on U.S. 301, where the new State Road 56 ties into it.

Also, the City of Zephyrhills requested a study to evaluate extending State Road 56 from U.S. 301 to State Road 39 with a connection to U.S. 98.

And, another study is looking into realigning U.S. 98, where U.S. 301 intersects with Clinton Avenue.

The Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization also has requested a study to evaluate the potential for the realignment of U.S. 98 at the U.S. 301, in the area of Clinton Avenue (new State Road 52).

U.S. 41 and State Road 54
While the need for a solution to daily traffic jams at U.S. 41 and State Road 54 is widely known, it is not yet clear how the issue will be addressed. Here are alternatives that have been identified, according to a state transportation department document:

  • Elevated express lanes at major intersections; express lanes on the ground for the remainder; and bus services in express lanes.
  • Parallel flow intersection.
  • Elevated lanes at major intersections; bus or rail in separate lanes, combined with a continuous flow intersection.
  • No Build: Maintaining six lanes on the ground and current transit services.
Motorists heading north on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41, wait in the daily backup, just south of State Road 54.

State Road 52 improvements
Projects are in various stages along the State Road 52 corridor. Here’s a synopsis:

  • Suncoast Parkway to east of U.S. 41: This project will widen a 3.8-mile stretch from two lanes to six lanes, with a 12-foot multi-use trail to be built on the north side of State Road 52. The project also includes a 1-mile widening of U.S. 41, approaching the intersection with State Road 52. Construction is expected to begin in 2019.
  • East of U.S. 41 to County Road 581 (Bellamy Brothers Boulevard): Calls for widening the two-lane road to a four-lane divided road. The 8.5-mile improvement also includes a 12-foot multi-use trail on the north side of the road. The project is under design, but there is no construction funding at this time.
  • County Road 581 (Bellamy Brothers Boulevard) to Old Pasco Road: Widening the two-lane road to a four-lane road, with a median. The 1.5-mile project has an estimated cost of $13.4 million and is scheduled to be completed this spring.
  • State Road 52 widening and new alignment, from Uradco Place to west of Fort King Road.

Between Uradco Place and Bayou Branch Canal, the existing road will be widened to a four-lane divided highway.

East of Bayou Branch Canal, the new alignment will be a four-lane, divided State Road 52, built south of the existing State Road 52, tying into Clinton Avenue.

Heading east, past Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, barricades guide motorists through ongoing widening construction.

Clinton Avenue, between County Road 579 and Fort King Road, will be a widened to a four-lane divided road.

Clinton Avenue, between Pasadena Avenue and U.S. 301, will be designated County Road 52, after the construction of the new State Road 52 is complete.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2019.

 

Other projects
Interstate 75 interchange at Overpass Road
Pasco County is building a future interchange at I-75 and Pasco Road. The project is scheduled for letting in 2020.

U.S. 301/U.S. 98
Resurfacing/bike lanes

An eastbound school bus turns south on to Old Pasco Road, an area where road construction continues.

Project limits: Pond Avenue to north of Long Avenue/Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City

is in design. Construction is expected to begin in 2019.

Wesley Chapel Intermodal Center Study
This study, expected to be completed in late summer, will identify the needs and location of an intermodal center that will serve as a hub for local and regional transit. It includes the analysis of facility needs, location, cost, funding, connectivity and conceptual design.

Proposed U.S. 301 widening
Another project calls for widening U.S. 301, from a four-lane road to six lanes, from County Road 54/Eiland Boulevard to north of Kossik Road, in Zephyrhills. That construction is not yet funded.

Brian Fernandes contributed to this report.

Published January 9, 2019

State lawmaker offers overview of past legislative session

By

This past legislative session — and money flowing into Pasco County from the state’s record $88.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2019 — was the topic du jour for State Rep. Danny Burgess, during a recent appearance at a North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Burgess, who represents the House District 38 seat covering east Pasco and portions of central Pasco, highlighted a number of local projects that received state funding:

  • $15 million for the Overpass Road interchange at Interstate 75
  • $4.3 million for the Thomas Varnadoe Forensic Center for Research and Education located at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center
  • $1 million for the proposed Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center in Zephyrhills
  • $5.9 million for upgrades at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport
  • $750,000 for a road study on pursuing an additional extension to State Road 56 that would link to State Road 39
State Rep. Danny Burgess was the featured guest speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s September breakfast. (File)

“We walked away locally in east Pasco with the most historic levels of funding that we’ve ever had. We were able to do some pretty good things for this area,” said Burgess, the featured guest speaker at the chamber’s September breakfast at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

Overall, the entire state budget was a 7.6 percent increase, or about $6.3 billion more than the   2018 fiscal budget.

Burgess noted the considerable surge was due to some “unforeseen things,” including Hurricane Irma, the Parkland shooting and rising health care costs related to Medicaid.

Even so, Burgess said the state still came away with a balanced budget and AAA bond rating, which he characterizes as “fantastic news” for areas, including Pasco County, that are “developing and growing and expanding their business base.”

Said Burgess: “All of the major publications and research entities in the country are still ranking Florida the top one, or two, in terms of fiscal health and places that people want to be in, and, places that people want to start their business, so that matters. Florida is right there neck and neck with Texas in terms of desirability and enacting the right policies to have a friendly business climate, so those are things that we can continue to foster and build upon as we move forward.”

Meanwhile, of the 74 bills signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, Burgess said the “biggest win” of the legislative session was the passage of HB 37, which sets forth parameters for direct primary care agreements.

Under direct primary care agreements, doctors charge patients monthly fees in advance of providing services, with patients then able to access services at no extra charge.

The bill amends the state insurance code to make clear that direct primary care agreements do not violate insurance regulations.

Primary care providers are defined as physicians, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, nurses or primary care group practices.

Burgess, who sponsored the bill with Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, said there’d been an attempt to pass some variation of the bill over the last four years.

He explained the legislation should benefit small businesses who’d like to offer health care options for their employees, but otherwise can’t afford to in the traditional health care marketplace.

“This bill is a great way to expand options and access for Floridians everywhere,” the state representative said.

“It removes that middleman of bureaucracy of health care and health insurance, and it allows so much more time between the patient and doctor.

“I think that it’ll have a big impact for us as we move forward. More doctors are going to start practicing in this arena, which is great,” the state lawmaker said.

Elsewhere, Burgess touched on other priorities Florida needs to address going forward — such as expanding opportunities for veterans statewide.

The state representative stressed the need to provide more options for soldiers suffering from combat-related illnesses, including post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries.

He also mentioned the need to create more workforce opportunities for veterans through equivalency of training programs in careers, including law enforcement, engineering, firefighting, contracting and others.

Said Burgess: “Florida needs to be the most veteran-friendly state in the nation. I think that we’re close to being there.

“We’ve done a lot to be there, but I think we have a long way to go.”

Published September 12, 2018

State Road 56 extension moving forward

By

Construction on the State Road 56 extension is on track for its scheduled completion in late 2019, according to Florida Department of Transportation officials.

The approximately 6-mile extension will give motorists a new four-lane route between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

Work began in February 2017.

City planners in Zephyrhills are looking ahead to the project’s completion, and its impact on development.

Construction crews work on medians for the State Road 56 extension from Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills. (File)

“We have a lot going on over here already,” said Todd Vande berg, Zephyrhills planning director. “It’s going to be a game- changer with State Road 56 coming here as a four-lane road.”

But, Zephyrhills officials also are pursuing an additional extension to State Road 56 that would link to State Road 39.

They requested $1 million in the Florida 2019 budget to fund a planning study for the project. Legislators are expected to approve a budget by March 9.

The budget then would go to Gov. Rick Scott, who has line-item veto authority.

Added connectivity helps the entire area, Vande berg said.

“We could have a true, multicounty arterial road,” he said.

Current roadwork will extend State Road 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills. A 10-foot wide multi-use trail will run along the south side of State Road 56. A 5-foot sidewalk will be installed on the north side.

Seven-foot bicycle lanes will be striped off in each direction.

Traffic signals are planned at Morris Bridge Road, at its new intersection with State Road 56, and also at U.S. 301 where it will connect with the new extension.

New residential and commercial projects are anticipated.

Four developers are planning master-planned communities along State Road 56.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport also will benefit from the project. The airport is undergoing upgrades.

About 440 acres adjacent to the site also are being prepared for future development, and will be marketed as site-ready.

As of Feb. 20, a checklist of milestones from state highway officials on the State Road 56 extension included:

  • 15 retention ponds, of 17 total, are nearly complete
  • About 75 percent of the stormwater drainage system is installed
  • The first three layers of asphalt has been laid on nearly 2 miles of the 6-mile road
  • About 3 miles of concrete sidewalk is complete
  • About 1 mile of the multi-use path is complete

The westbound segment of the bridge work over New River also is finished and work is underway on the eastbound segment.

For information, visit tinyurl.com/ycx2x3y5.

Published March 7, 2018

Outlining a road map to tackle Pasco traffic problems

By

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

Traffic relief coming to I-75 and State Road 56

By

Motorists stuck in long lines of traffic at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange could get relief sooner rather than later.

It will come in the form of a new interchange known as a diverging diamond – a design gaining popularity nationally as a solution to traffic jams at major crossroads.

Aerial photo of I-44/Kansas Expressway Diverging Diamond Interchange in Springfield, Missouri. First of its kind in the U.S. (Courtesy of Missouri Department of Transportation)

The Florida Department of Transportation is moving the approximately $18.5 million road project up by two years. With funding in place, construction is set to begin sometime in fiscal year 2018, which runs from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.

Previously, the diverging diamond got priority status on the FDOT’s five-year work plan, but had a fiscal year 2020 start date.

“I am grinning ear to ear. I am so excited that the diverging diamond is moving up to 2018,” said Pasco County Chairman Mike Moore. “This is going to be one of the most innovative methods of relieving traffic. It’s going to be so beneficial, not just for that area, but for the entire region.”

Moore and other county commissioners got a presentation on the diverging diamond and other proposed road projects during a Dec. 6 meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization in Dade City.

The state transportation department’s five-year work plan of joint state and county road projects is updated annually with local input.

The I-75 interchange is a gateway in and out of major commercial developments on State Road 56, either already open for business – Tampa Premium Outlets – or under construction – Cypress Creek Town Center.

Longhorn Steakhouse and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse are among the newest restaurants to open. Others include Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chick-fil-A and Culver’s. More eateries are on the way.

Construction will soon be completed west of the interchange on a 150,000-square-foot sports complex and ice rink, known as Florida Hospital Center Ice.

Vehicles stack up daily at the interchange and bring traffic to a crawl, as motorists seek to go shopping, run errands, get to work or head home.

Peak traffic hours are a daily nightmare for motorists who get stuck in long lines at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange.
(File Photo)

Details are pending on how traffic will be routed through the busy intersection during construction.

But, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said, “We’ll take the pain for the progress.”

Pasco County could become the second municipality in the state to have a diverging diamond. Sarasota is the first, with a diverging diamond interchange currently under construction at I-75 and University Parkway. It is expected to open in 2017.

The City of Jacksonville is considering a diverging diamond on Interstate 95.

In the diverging diamond interchange, multiple lanes of traffic from opposite directions crisscross from one side of the roadway to the other, and then switch back, guided by road signs, marked lanes and traffic signals.

Supporters of the design say it eases congestion, prevents wrong-way entry onto ramps and reduces crashes. The interchange also accommodates pedestrian crossings and bicycle lanes.

Other projects included in the five-year work plan are:

  • County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) from north of State Road 54 and State Road 56 to Progress Parkway; right-of-way to be purchased in 2018.
  • State Road 52 realignment from Uradco Place to west of Fort King Road; right-of-way to be purchased in 2018; construction in 2019.
  • S. 301 from State Road 56 (proposed) to State Road 39 (Paul Buchman Highway); preliminary engineering in 2018; right-of-way to be purchased in 2021, 2022.

For complete list of proposed projects and their descriptions visit D7wpph.com.

Comments on projects should be submitted by Dec. 27, either online or mailed to: Ed McKinney, Florida Department of Transportation, 11201 N. McKinley Drive, MS 7-500, Tampa, Florida, 33612.

Published December 21, 2016

 

Priority highway projects focus on growth spots

By

Growth is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to building, widening and re-aligning highways that crisscross Pasco County’s landscape.

Most highways in the county move north and south. It is the east to west connections that are often missing or out-of-date.

The recently approved 2015 Priority List of Highway Projects tapped into that scenario. The Florida Department of Transportation uses the list as a guide for its long-range planning, and in determining when and where to spend its state and federal dollars.

County officials say traffic improvements are high priority for the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A study is underway but no construction funds are available. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
County officials say traffic improvements are high priority for the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A study is underway but no construction funds are available.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Among 15 projects identified by Pasco’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, all but two are in central and east Pasco. The top choices take aim at State Road 52 from its intersection with U.S. 41 in central Pasco to Dade City in east Pasco.

“It’s going to rectify a situation of having more direct east-west local connectors,” said James Edwards, Pasco County’s transportation planning manager. “It is going to be a growth center for the county.”

Also on the list is the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. The roads bisect Land O’ Lakes and serve as a clearinghouse for a high volume of truck and residential traffic.

The intersection is west of the retail explosion on State Road 54 and State Road 56, where Tampa Premium Outlets is slated to open in October. More shops, restaurants, hotels and rooftops are on their way in the next couple of years.

“What we’re faced with at the outlets (mall) will be congestion and future congestion,” Edwards said.

In September, the county plans to schedule workshops to get public input on the kinds of road projects needed to address traffic near the outlet mall, and between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

By placing emphasis on State Road 52 now, county officials are hoping to come out ahead of the development curve with road upgrades, before developers start digging dirt for rooftops and retail.

The proposed roadwork is part of ongoing efforts to widen and realign an important regional corridor that could eventually stretch across Florida from west coastal Pasco to the U.S. 98 junction, and on to Palm Beach.

The state roads department is completing a study for a four-year plan to build a new four-lane State Road 52, south of the current highway that passes through San Antonio, Saint Leo and Dade City. This project envisions construction of an approximately 8.5 mile, four-lane extension of Clinton Avenue. Pedestrian and bicycle lanes will be built on either side of the highway. When that project is completed, the old highway would become County Road 52.

The state roads department anticipates that design work and right-of-way purchase will be done over the next two years.

Construction is slated for 2019, according to the department’s records.

In west Pasco, a segment of State Road 52 had a makeover in 2007 when it was widened to six lanes from Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway. Going east past the Suncoast, State Road 52 narrows to four then two lanes as it approaches Shady Hills Road.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization proposes construction along a major segment of roadway in central Pasco by widening it from two to four lanes from U.S. 41 to Bellamy Brothers Road.

Along with this, another priority is a north-south segment on U.S. 41, which would be widened to four lanes from Connerton Boulevard and the Ridge Road extension up to the intersection with State Road 52.

However, the caveat with all of the identified projects is that none has construction funds on the immediate horizon. County officials estimate the price tag for these projects is more than $750 million spread out over the next 25 years.

Funding will have to come from a mix of county, state and federal dollars.

These are the projects for central and east Pasco, according to county records:

  • State Road 52 from U.S. 41 to Bellamy Brothers Boulevard will go from two lanes to four lanes. Preliminary engineering is underway.
  • U.S. 41 from Connerton Boulevard/Ridge Road Extension to State Road 52 will go from two lanes to four lanes. Construction is anticipated in 2019-2020.
  • State Road 52 and Clinton Avenue extension adds four lanes from east of Uradco Place to Fort King Road. Construction is anticipated in 2018-2019.
  • State Road 54 at the U.S. 41 interchange is under study.
  • Interstate 75, at Overpass Road/interchange from Old Pasco Road to Boyette Road, is set for construction in 2019-2020, with full funding by Pasco County.
  • U.S. 98 at U.S. 301- Clinton Avenue intersection realignment. This is not funded.
  • U.S. 301- Gall Boulevard redesign at Sixth and Seventh streets, from State Road 39 to County Road 54, is being planned. This construction is unfunded.
  • State Road 56 at Interstate 75 interchange, from west of County Road 54 to west of Cypress Ridge Boulevard. Planning and engineering are scheduled in 2016-2017.
  • U.S. 301 – Gall Boulevard will go from four lanes to six lanes from State Road 56 to State Road 39. Preliminary engineering is underway, but construction is unfunded.
  • U.S. 301- Gall Boulevard from will go from four lanes to six lanes from County Road 54 at Eiland Boulevard to Kossik Road. Design is underway. Right of way and construction are unfunded.
  • State Road 54 at Collier Parkway interchange. Right of way is funded over a 10-year period.
  • State Road 56 will go from two lanes to four lanes from Meadow Pointe Boulevard to U.S. 301, near Zephyrhills. A state infrastructure bank loan is pending.

Published August 12, 2015