New growth in and around the intersections of State Road 56, County Road 54 and Interstate 75 is generating traffic jams.
The developments just keep coming.
Tampa Premium Outlets opened in October.
Culver’s and Cheddar’s Casual Café – are under construction.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Site plans are filed, or on the way, for additional retail, hotels and offices as part of Cypress Creek Town Center.
Florida Hospital Center Ice — a sports complex featuring ice rinks and other sports courts – also is under construction.
One proposed traffic fix calls for widening County Road 54, which is also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard, from north of State Road 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard.
A public workshop will be held on Jan. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to discuss the estimated $53 million project and to gather public input on the road’s design.
The workshop will be held at Veterans Elementary School, 26940 Progress Parkway in Wesley Chapel.
People can view maps of the project, as well as ask questions of Pasco County officials and consultants from Kisinger Campo & Associates.
Representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation also are invited.
“It is a very big priority,” said Deborah Bolduc, the county’s program administrator for engineering services.
An initial study completed in 2003 recommended widening the two-lane road to match the now widened portion of the county road on its approach to the intersection with State Road 56.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
But, for motorists who turn off State Road 56 on to County Road 54, it’s only a short jaunt just beyond Old Cypress Creek Road before the four-lane, divided highway suddenly narrows to two lanes.
In the past decade more homes and businesses have been added to the area. Area residents often confront long waits along the road’s two-lane stretch waiting to navigate into the flow of traffic.
County officials decided to give the public a new look at the project and another opportunity to offer their thoughts.
“There could be some tweaks made based as a result of comments,” Bolduc said.
The widening project will be presented to the Pasco County Commission in spring. If approved, funds are budgeted for the next two years for design and right of way purchases.
Construction currently is scheduled for 2022, though Bolduc said that date could be pushed forward depending on availability of funding.
Published January 13, 2016
