Two workshops on the plans, which would be paid for by the Penny for Pasco tax, will seek residents' input on several key intersection changes.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published October 21, 2004
The county is still two months away from collecting the Penny for Pasco, but officials already are working on the plans to spend it.
Engineers are drawing up improvements for 10 tricky intersections - adding turn lanes in most places, realigning a couple of trouble spots and hanging traffic signals over two or three crossings.
The county will hold two public workshops so residents can look at the preliminary drawings and offer suggestions. The idea is to design the projects now, so work can begin shortly after the county starts collecting the extra sales tax in January.
"We want to jump-start this and get cranked up, so that when we start collecting that penny in January of '05, we will be able to hit the ground running," County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said.
Engineers emphasized the drawings are just proposals.
They want to get public feedback and adjust the designs as needed before taking them to the County Commission for approval, county engineer Jim Widman said.
"We want to know what their (neighbors') perception is, as far as what the project will do to them and for them, and we'll make sure our consultant addresses everybody's concern as much as possible," Widman said.
The intersection improvements might be some of the first Penny tax projects residents see.
Voters approved the 1-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax hike in March to pay for a slew of county projects, school improvements and city amenities.
Over the 10-year life span of the tax increase, the county's share will add up to $145.5-million - with half going toward road projects, a quarter toward buying conservation land, 20 percent toward public safety projects and 5 percent for contingencies.
The 10 intersections on the drawing board are only some of the road projects promised under the Penny tax.
The higher profile projects - including the new Interstate 75-State Road 54 interchange and the channelized medians on U.S. 19 - will take longer to design.
Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is hall@sptimes.com
IF YOU GO
The county will host two informal public workshops about the proposed traffic improvements:
Tonight from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the West Pasco Government Center board room, 7530 Little Road in New Port Richey.
On Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Elementary School, 22844 Weeks Blvd. in Land O'Lakes.
