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Bridge criticisms show overall angst with county plan

RIVERVIEW Plans for a new bridge over the Alafia River spark residents' anger.

By Catherine E. Shoichet Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2007

But a group of Riverview residents have turned their attention toward another part of the South County Transportation Plan: new bridges over the Alafia River.

"I think that's irresponsible planning," said resident Lisa Moberg, who lives on Valrie Lane - a quiet residential street listed in the plan as the site for a new two-lane bridge.

Residents said building the bridge would damage protected environmentally sensitive land and destroy the area's character.

"I want my daughter to know what a live armadillo looks like," said Rebecca Goodman, 32, who was born and raised in the two-bedroom house on Valrie where she lives with her family.

Criticism was so fierce that county officials vowed to remove the proposed bridge from the plan before a public meeting ended last week.

"We were looking for places to cross the Alafia," planning and growth management director Peter Aluotto said. "We're not going to cross over there."

His pledge placated Valrie Lane residents, but drew criticism from others at the meeting who said it was yet another sign of problems with the plan.

"What you've done is you've drawn arbitrary lines on a map. ... This particular plan is ill conceived and not at all well thought out," said Pam Prysner, president of the Rural Lithia Area Neighborhood Defense activist group. "You need a lot more detail as to why you're putting something where you're putting it."

In recent weeks, the plan drew extensive public criticism that prompted county officials to table it indefinitely. They will revise the plan after hearing public comment at a workshop in Lithia on Monday.

Eventually, county planners hope to add the proposed new and expanded roads to Hillsborough's comprehensive plan, a blueprint for how the county will grow.

County officials were happy to hear from residents but also firmly committed to continuing their planning efforts, Aluotto said last week.

He said that despite opposition, crews constructed the Veteran's and Crosstown expressways.

"I don't think there are many people today that regret that decision," he said. "We're not ramming any road down your throat. ... Whether you build a road or not, people will come here."

His comments rankled opponents of the controversial bypass.

"Are you telling us that even though we don't want it, it's coming?" Lithia resident Kelly Cornelius asked.

Aluotto said his staff was merely preparing for the possibility of such a road, which other government agencies could choose to build.

"We're not the decisionmakers on this," he said.

Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at cshoichet@sptimes.com or 661-2454.

. IF YOU GO

Meeting Monday

County officials will discuss the proposed South County Transportation Plan and take questions from residents at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Pinecrest Elementary, 7950 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Lithia.

[Last modified November 1, 2007, 07:22:37]