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Planners Seek Public Input On U.S. 19 Improvements

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: August 27, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - U.S. 19 might take a turn for the better with a little help from the public.

Residents may comment about the proposed improvements to U.S. 19 in Pasco County at a hearing from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Madison Square Event Center, 4035 Madison St., New Port Richey.

The meeting's purpose is to gauge public opinion about the design of intersections at State Road 54, Ridge Road, State Road 52 and County Line Road, said Kris Carson, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation.

A continuous right-turn lane also is in the works for the state highway along its 20-mile stretch through west Pasco.

The county is teaming with the DOT to redesign medians at the same time. The planned "channelization" will create turn lanes inside medians to replace open medians.

The open medians allow traffic to crisscross U.S. 19 from side streets and parking lots, creating potential traffic hazards.

Pasco is estimating the channelization cost at $13.36 million, according to a recent presentation to the county commission by Chief Assistant County Administrator Michele Baker. The county's share will come from Penny for Pasco sales tax revenue.

The improvements have been scheduled for mid-2009.

The public hearing's format Thursday will allow people to examine maps and displays at their leisure while asking questions of DOT representatives, according to a newsletter from Robert Clifford, chief of the District 7 Intermodal System Development Department.

Engineers intend to make a formal presentation at 6 p.m. about this early phase of the project.

In addition, maps and drawings of the project will be available through Sept. 8 at the Centennial Park Branch Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday.

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