Complaints about increased truck traffic and damage being caused by the heavy vehicles have resulted in a ban on thru truck traffic on a segment of Overpass Road, from Curley Road to Old Bridge Road.
The ban also applies to Old Bridge Road, from Overpass Road to Handcart Road.
The Pasco County Commission adopted an ordinance instituting the ban during its May 9 meeting.
The action arose after residents from the Watergrass area appeared before the county board complaining about problems being caused by increased truck traffic, which resulted from the opening of the new Interstate 75-Overpass Road interchange.
The reasons for the ban, as outlined in the May 9 agenda packet, are:
- Old Bridge Road from Overpass Road to Handcart Road runs through a dense residential neighborhood, even though it provides a connection to Handcart Road from Overpass Road.
- There is a significant amount of non-motorized activity along this roadway, along with the presence of some neighborhood parks along the road and a significant number of pedestrians crossing along Old Bridge Road.
The county board has the authority to restrict truck traffic, based on Pasco County Ordinance Chapter 106, Article II, Section 106-3, according to information in the agenda packet.
That ordinance says, the county board, “by the adoption of a resolution, may restrict the use of roads, highways, and streets under its regulatory jurisdiction by placing reasonable restrictions on the operation of commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods.”
Once the board establishes the restrictions and the sign is installed, “it shall be unlawful for the operator of any commercial vehicle to operate the vehicle in violation of the restrictions.”
The board’s new restrictions will be effective upon the posting of signs, as required for enforcement.
The cost to install new signs is estimated at $400.
When the extension of Overpass Road from Old Bridge Road to U.S. 301 is completed, the No Thru Traffic ordinance on the section of Overpass Road from Curley Road to Old Bridge Road will be repealed, according to the agenda materials.
Tami Cook, who lives on Bluestem Court in Watergrass, appeared during the public comment section of the board’s meeting.
She thanked the board for taking up the truck traffic issue.
She asked: “Will there be a flashing sign trailer put up until permanent signage (of the No Thru Trucks) is in place?”
She also told the board that residents of Watergrass and the CDD board have paid $7,000 in repairs on the manhole cover on the corner of Overpass and Old Bridge Road because the road is too narrow for big trucks to make the turn.
Cook also asked about the status of an interim plan to route the I-75 traffic from the Overpass Road interchange.
She noted that the plan was to route the traffic to U.S. 301, via the Overpass Road extension.
But that project isn’t done and might not even be started for five years, Cook said.
“Wesley Chapel is now one of the fastest-growing communities in the region, with projections estimating a population of 93,700 people by 2024.
“May I propose that this project be moved to the earliest possible start date? The population density growth has already warranted that,” Cook said.
The area resident also noted the noise problems being caused by traffic.
“Does Pasco County have a noise ordinance for decibel limits allowed for roadway noise caused by traffic in residential zones?” Cook asked. “If so, can we request a noise pollution study in the affected areas of Watergrass and Epperson?
“As concerned citizens, in this area, the additional thousands of homes will produce thousands of cars on the road, within these two communities.
“It’s our understanding that New Port Richey has strengthened their noise ordinance. In residential areas, the ordinance sets the limit for 55 decibels from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. It drops to 50 decibels from 10:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.
“Does this ordinance also apply to Wesley Chapel?
“The traffic noise in Watergrass and Epperson currently far exceeds these limits,” she said.
She also asked: “Are their noise ordinances for mufflers, the use of Jake-Brakes in residential areas?
“Who enforces them, if there’s a violation, if so,” Cook said.
The county board typically does not respond directly to questions raised during the public comment portion of its meetings, but rather refers speakers to staff members who can assist or their office staff, who can take their contact information.
In this case, Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano referred Cook to a county staff member regarding the concerns over the manhole damage.
Published May 17, 2023
