A private development plan to build an elevated toll road along the State Road 54 and State Road 56 corridor fell apart more than a year ago. But, the experience left lingering ill feelings because of a lack of public input on the project.
County officials now plan to start discussions again on how to deal with a major traffic headache on a corridor with exploding growth from rooftops to shops, especially from Land O’ Lakes to Wesley Chapel. More growth is anticipated from Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills.
At the same time the county wants to give residents a role in the decision-making.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
“There was no public engagement, no strong grassroots support,” said James Edwards, the transportation manager for Pasco’s Metropolitan Planning Organization. “We’re going to change that in this particular study.”
Two task forces will discuss options, with each presenting five to six recommendations to the Pasco County Commission.
One group will focus on State Road 54 from U.S. 19, in west Pasco, to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. Another will look at State Road 54/State Road 56, from U.S. 41 to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, east of Interstate 75.
In the future, a separate study will consider State Road 56 from Bruce B. Downs to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.
Committee members are from the MPO’s Citizens Advisory Committee, local chambers of commerce, community leaders, developers or their representatives, and residents from west and east Pasco.
Their work is scheduled for completion within eight months to nine months.
The kickoff meetings, open to the public, will be on Sept. 24 (East Task Force) and on Sept. 29 (West Task Force) at 5:45 p.m., at Rasmussen College at the Land O’ Lakes campus at 18600 Fernview Street.
Two years ago International Infrastructure Partners LLC proposed building a 33-mile elevated toll road from U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills to U.S. 19 in New Port Richey at an estimated cost to the company of $2.2 billion.
The deal collapsed when company representatives later requested public assistance to build the toll road.
Pasco County commissioners recently approved about $144,000 for consulting services for the task forces from Tampa-based, Tindale Oliver. The funds are from grants to the MPO.
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore queried Edwards on the role Tindale Oliver would play.
Edwards said consultants and county staff members are there in supporting, not leadership, roles.
“We want the committees to really drive this process,” he said. “We’re there to provide education and some direction.” Representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation are doing their own study and also monitoring the county’s efforts.
“They’re interested in having some documents to come out of this, giving them some guidance,” Edwards said.
Whatever plan emerges will be done in phases over several years, he added. “Most (work) will be done with federal monies.”
Published August 19, 2015
