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Residents Frustrated By Road Projects

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By GEOFF FOX, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

Updated: 01/15/2008 09:55 pm

WESLEY CHAPEL - Jim O'Neill seemed to speak for about 200 other Pasco County residents when he addressed county and state officials about construction on County Road 54, west of Interstate 75.

Referring to the project as "the fiasco on 54," O'Neill asked officials why construction on the major thoroughfare was taking so long. He spoke during a public workshop at Victorious Life Church on Monday night.

"I drive by, and I see two guys leaning against their shovel," said O'Neill, who lives off Old Pasco Road. "Day after day after day after day.

"No one with the county is doing anything."

The thunderous applause to O'Neill's remarks seemed to underline the frustration residents have about road projects that affect State Road 54, County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard), State Road 56, Interstate 75 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, heavily traveled roads in rapidly developing areas.
County representatives were joined by state Department of Transportation officials, among others.

O'Neill asked who was responsible for ensuring that construction companies meet deadlines and what penalties are incurred when projects are late.

Construction on C.R. 54 from Old Pasco Road to I-75 - the stretch O'Neill referred to - will mostly be done by April 27, although there still might be a small list of minor work to do, said Jim Widman, the county's engineering services director. In June, county officials said the improvements were scheduled to be completed this month or in February.

Better Information Needed
Widman said the county allows contractors to schedule their own work schedules, per contract. Companies that miss deadlines pay liquidated damages, unless circumstances beyond their control have caused delays, he said.

One thing county officials have learned, Widman said, is they need to better inform the public about road projects through updates on the county's Web site and distributing news releases on a project's developments. He also said the county can improve its bidding process by adding options for shortened completion times.

Adam Perez, interstate project manager for the Department of Transportation, detailed several future I-75 improvements from South Fowler Avenue in Hillsborough County to the Pasco-Hernando line. A comprehensive list of the department's current and future road projects can be found at www.mytbi.com.

What seemed confounding to many in the audience is that the designs of many DOT projects are at least partially funded, while construction costs are largely unfunded.

"You can't drive on a design," one man blurted.

Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri told the crowd that money for DOT projects comes from legislators. She implored people to send letters and call state-level lawmakers with their concerns.

"It's politics," she said. "The squeaky wheel gets attention. One person can make a difference, but a big group can really change things."

Mulieri was asked why county commissioners approve development before building roads to support increased traffic. County road projects are largely funded through gas taxes, the Penny for Pasco sales tax and development impact fees, among other sources. Local property taxes are not used.

"The board we have now is very aware," Mulieri said. "If we had a land-use plan 10 years ago like we do now, I think things would be different as far as density."

Not Like It Used To Be

While officials often found themselves on the hot seat Monday night, their efforts were appreciated by some.

"At least they'll come right out and tell you when you won't be getting anywhere on a project for seven years," said Jim Hoff, who owns Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q on Bruce B. Downs, just south of S.R. 54. "It didn't used to be that way."

Still, the need for road improvements is obvious, he said.

Hoff, who has owned the restaurant nine years, said it used to take him 12 minutes to drive to work from his home in New Tampa. The trip now takes 20 minutes.

"Now, the traffic we have is starting to impede customers' ability to get in and out" of the restaurant, he said.

Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 948-4217 or gfox@tampatrib.com.

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