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What's up with proposed 4-lane road? Take a look

Here are some key questions and Hillsborough County's answers.

By STEPHANIE HAYES
Published January 8, 2007

Do you have questions about the planned Citrus Park Drive extension?

Hillsborough County hears you. The county has issued a list of answers to frequently asked questions about the proposed four-lane road.

The county is considering extending Citrus Park Drive for almost 3 miles from Countryway Boulevard to Sheldon Road, and is conducting a study to see if the project is feasible.

The study should be done by February, said project manager Ben Kniesly. If given the green light, planners would solicit bids from designers for six months. There will be two more public meetings if the project makes it to the design phase.

Design takes 18 months to two years before construction can start, Kniesly said. Meanwhile, the county would have to come up with $45- to $70-million to build the road.

"Right now, there's no money earmarked for it," Kniesly said. "They would sort of explore that throughout the design."

We've summed up some of your questions and the county's answers about the Citrus Park Drive extension.

Would the road cause noise, and can you buffer it with plants?

Noise analysis for nearby homes isn't part of the study. The county doesn't currently build noise barriers.

Would the road hurt wetlands and wildlife?

Analysis shows there may be threatened and endangered species present, but the proposed alignment would have fewer impacts to animals and wetlands versus other options. Of course, not building at all would impact nature the least.

Would a new road bring a rash of homes and businesses?

Since the county's planned Northwest Recreational Corridor would be in this area, no residential or commercial development is currently planned between Countryway and Sheldon.

I live near the project. Would my property values go down?

The county says it can't predict future property values.

Would the road be an evacuation route?

No, it wouldn't meet the requirements.

Couldn't it be two lanes instead of four?

Two lanes aren't enough - analysis shows that growing traffic needs would outgrow two lanes before 2010.

Have you considered overpasses and roundabouts?

The county considered them, but determined roundabouts would delay traffic, cost more, impact the environment more and could increase accidents. Overpasses would require too many home relocations, right-of-way requirements and too much money.

Would the road be extended to Linebaugh Avenue? Would Montague Street be extended to Citrus Park Drive?

Those extensions aren't in the current study, but the county may consider them in the future.

Would traffic lights be installed so I can enter and leave my neighborhood safely?

Government standards say lights can't go at the intersection of Minaret Drive and Windsor Place Circle, nor at Blacksmith Drive, all at the project's west end. But the county would look into placing stop signs or directional median openings there instead.

How would the Citrus Park Drive and Countryway Boulevard intersection improve?

A new traffic signal, new left and right turn lanes, crosswalks, pedestrian signs and curb ramps would go in.

How would you keep traffic calm?

Traffic signals are proposed at the intersections of Countryway, Sheldon and Fawn Ridge Boulevard. A speed limit of 40 mph is proposed, and curves would help slow drivers. A lower speed, flashing signals and a school zone would likely appear near the future Deer Park Elementary.

What would the road's intersection at Fawn Ridge look like?

There would be a new traffic signal and two new left-turn lanes.

Who would pay for the relocation of Fawn Ridge's entrance features?

The county says the Fawn Ridge Maintenance Association has a contingency fund to move the community's sign, planters and lighting to the north side of the project.

Have you considered improving other roads and intersections instead of this project?

Those types of improvements are part of the county's regional transportation planning. The county will review comments about improvements at specific sites.

[Last modified January 8, 2007, 07:20:52]