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S.R. 54 Widening Plans To Air For Public's Input

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 8, 2008

WESLEY CHAPEL - Transportation officials will host a public forum Thursday to discuss plans for widening State Road 54 between Curley and Morris Bridge roads.

The forum is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 33425 S.R. 54. The meeting will include an informal open house at which residents can discuss plans for the project with road designers.

Plans call for widening S.R. 54 to four lanes along a 4.5-mile segment through the New River area, part of the chronically congested corridor linking eastern Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills with Interstate 75.

The actual widening work is unlikely to start before 2011. County officials have scheduled design work on the project to begin in late 2010.

The county hasn't begun buying right of way for the project, but does have money available for purchasing land if sellers are willing, said Michele Baker, chief assistant county administrator.

In the meantime, work is scheduled to begin next year to widen S.R. 54 between I-75 and Curley Road. That project will increase the clogged two-lane road to four lanes.

Also during the same period, the Department of Transportation will begin work to replace the bridges that carry I-75 over the highway just west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. That project will replace the existing bridges with wider spans that won't require the concrete pillars that now obstruct the highway between the interchange.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201 or kwiatrowski@tampatrib.com.

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