TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

County Line Road Project Accelerates

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHAEL D. BATES Hernando Today

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 25, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Hernando County Commissioner David Russell jokes that Pasco County has looked at County Line Road as its "fair-haired stepchild" because of its past reluctance to help fund improvements on that vital east-west corridor.

"But now, it looks like they're getting ready to adopt us," he said.

In an interview, Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher said he will add County Line Road to his county's "wish list" of capital road improvement projects. He vowed to work jointly with Hernando County in seeking federal stimulus funds to facilitate long-awaited improvements.

In return, Gallagher wants Hernando County to include County Line Road in its own "wish list" of projects and have the road widening project "shovel-ready," or primed for development in the next six to nine months.

Russell greeted Gallagher's announcement with enthusiasm.

"This is a long time coming," Russell said.

Rebuilding County Line Road, which is two lanes wide along almost its entire 12-mile length between U.S. 19 and U.S. 41, is a priority in the capital spending portion of Hernando County's 2009 fiscal year budget. Based on the preliminary survey, the project could be shovel-ready in the time frame Gallagher has imposed, Russell said.

"I believe we can make ourselves ready," Russell said.

Hernando County Engineer Charles Mixson confirmed that County Line Road will be included in his county's soon-to-be-released wish list of committed projects.

Mixson also said he can make that road project development-ready in the time frame Gallagher is seeking.

"It's a challenge, but we can do it," Mixson said.

Having three governmental entities, Pasco and Hernando counties and the Florida Department of Transportation, committed to the County Line Road Project should boost the likelihood of obtaining federal stimulus money, Mixson said.

President-elect Barack Obama has proposed the federal government spend up to $850 million on infrastructure building projects such as road improvements to jolt the nation's economy out of its current recession.

The particulars of Obama's multibillion-dollar stimulus plan will be fleshed out when he takes office in January.

The ultimate benefactors of County Line Road widening will be the drivers who can look forward to a smoother, safer commute, Mixson said.

In the interview Gallagher said he plans to continue the "60-40" funding split on future widening of County Line Road, which he calls a valuable east-west corridor for both counties.

Because any improvements to County Line Road would mostly benefit Hernando residents, Russell and Mixson said it is fair Hernando County bear the major brunt of the funding at 60 percent.

The county has already started the process of acquiring right of way for the next phase of County Line Road widening, from East Road east to Mariner Boulevard.
Hernando County would pick up 60 percent of the estimated $50 million it will cost for that phase, minus any available state or federal funding.

Gallagher's assurances are a major turning point after a decade of stalled talks between the two counties, Russell said.

"I'm very encouraged to hear that," Russell added. "We've been in talks for years, but this is the first time I've seen some hard, physical evidence of their interest."

Gallagher credited the renewed working relationship to Hernando County Administrator David Hamilton.

Hamilton recently set up a meeting between Hernando officials and their counterparts in Pasco to explore working together to make the widening of County Line Road a reality.

Hamilton and staff members impressed upon Gallagher and his staff that both counties have a joint interest in future infrastructure improvements to the road.

Hamilton "seems to be very interested in us working closely together, and that's something I cherish too," Gallagher said.

Hamilton said the two counties could work together on a joint plan to protect agricultural land on the eastern sides of County Line Road.

Meanwhile, the County Line Road widening project from U.S. 19 to Cobblestone has begun.

The cost is $14.4 million and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2010.

The Florida Department of Transportation, using federal and state money, is providing the bulk of the funding for that phase of the project. Hernando County is kicking in money to help match federal funds.

When completed in about two years, that segment will be four lanes.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT