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LISA GREENEWhen the dust clears in 2006, the stops at Northeast Coachman and Sunset Point roads will be no more. Construction will cost $45.9-million.
Work began this week on two new overpasses on U.S. 19.
When the $45.9-million project is complete, U.S. 19 motorists will be able to drive over Northeast Coachman Road and Sunset Point Road without stopping.
"There's going to be a great difference," said Marian Scorza, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation. "The projects will increase capacity, enhance motorists' safety and alleviate traffic congestion along U.S. 19."
With the bypasses and other improvements, Scorza said, "people who want to travel straight through on U.S. 19 can do it, and they don't have to mix with the traffic that is getting off."
The department is building two six-lane bridges over the two roads. The project also includes one-way frontage roads parallel to U.S. 19.
Hubbard Construction Co. is building the project, which is slated to be finished in the fall of 2006.
Meanwhile, work is already under way on the $29.9-million interchange over Drew Street. Cone & Graham Inc., is working on that project, which is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2005.
When both projects are complete, people will be able to drive U.S. 19 from south of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard to Enterprise Road, north of Sunset Point, without stopping for traffic signals.
An overpass to cross Enterprise is scheduled for 2007 to 2008, DOT spokeswoman Marian Scorza said.
The coming projects should help make U.S. 19 safer, said County Commissioner Bob Stewart, a member of the county's transportation planning board.
"The money we're spending on right-hand turn lanes and bypasses will help make it easier and help keep traffic moving," Stewart said.
But Stewart said that ultimately, U.S. 19 needs more help from other solutions, such as a rail or improved bus system, to provide less-congested travel.
"We're caught with basically an outdated system," Stewart said.
The state has gotten mixed reviews on other U.S. 19 projects just completed farther north. Medians have been "channelized" from Sunset Point Road north to the Pasco County line. The channels mean drivers entering U.S. 19 must turn right, rather than trying to make dangerous left turns and clogging the medians.
"That's proven to be very popular," said Karen Seel, County Commission chairwoman. "I've gotten extremely good feedback."
One of the nice things about channelization is that it's a big safety payoff for little cost, Seel said. The project cost $5.3-million.
"It's a fairly inexpensive investment," said Seel, who also chairs a task force on improving U.S. 19.
Motorists are less sure about the continuous right turn lanes added from Republic Drive to Tarpon Avenue. Some motorists like them, while others complain that some drivers are speeding in the lanes and creating a hazard by passing other cars.
"I'm getting a running commentary of about 50-50," Seel said. "Some people think they're wonderful, and others are scared to death."
The department is studying the new lanes to see if changes, such as more signs, are needed.