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.
“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
