County-line toll going nowhere

Hillsborough roads will be stressed by a Pasco project, but no funding is planned to help.

By BILL COATS, Times Staff Writer
Published October 16, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough County toll booths on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard? The proposal was only half-serious in August, and that's not going to change now.

County Attorney Renee Lee says the county has the legal right to erect the toll booths, but "it's not really a viable solution right now."

Lee said her office won't be writing a formal opinion for Hillsborough County commissioners, who asked Lee on Aug. 15 to explore the idea.

Hillsborough has been miffed for months that Pasco County approved the 12,500-home Wiregrass development off Bruce B. Downs but required the developer to improve only Pasco County roads.

Thousands of Pasco residents drive into Hillsborough on the overloaded Bruce B. Downs, and Hillsborough is undertaking a $130-million construction project to widen the northern half of the boulevard to eight lanes.

Pasco, meanwhile, required the Wiregrass developers to make $579-million in road improvements, but rejected Hillsborough's request that the developers pay $28-million toward the Bruce B. Downs widening.

That prompted County Commissioner Ken Hagan, whose north Hillsborough district includes Bruce B. Downs, to raise the toll booth issue. Hagan couldn't be reached for comment Monday.

Since August, Hillsborough has focused on trying to persuade state officials - who can veto projects as large as Wiregrass - to prod Pasco into a deal with Hillsborough. Pasco has responded that north Hillsborough's lack of an east-west highway has forced traffic onto State Roads 54 and 56 in Pasco, and Hillsborough doesn't deserve any aid.

The state Department of Community Affairs decided that the decision was Pasco's. The final decision goes to Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet, and Hillsborough hopes to argue its case there.

Lee said Hillsborough continues to ask for a dialogue with Pasco on the topic, but is getting no response.

"I think the legal channels have become the priority over the toll booths," Lee said.

Meanwhile, toll booths would pose prickly questions. In a draft memo, one of Lee's assistants said businesses along Bruce B. Downs might file legal claims based on the county's toll booths impairing access to their stores.

Or, Lee asked, "Would they be one way? Two-way? Do you have the property?"

Bill Coats can be reached at 813 269-5309 or coats@sptimes.com.

[Last modified October 15, 2007, 23:14:01]