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Relief In Sight For Brandon's Busy Causeway

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By TOM BRENNAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 30, 2008

PALM RIVER - Gary Ansulewicz sees some irony in the signs foretelling the beginning of construction to widen Causeway Boulevard.

"Expect delays," the signs say.

"We've had delays getting construction on Causeway for more than 30 years," he said, chuckling.

After many fits and starts, the $43 million road widening is scheduled to begin next week. Ansulewicz, who owns a business off Causeway, said residents and other business owners -who for years have battled intolerable traffic jams on the two-lane east-west artery - are glad they are slated to get relief.

Still, they are skeptical.

"We are getting excited," Ansulewicz said. "The community has been very wary. We have so many nonbelievers, so much apathy. We have been anxious and a little nervous until construction begins."

Kris Carson, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation, said she understands.

"The DOT realizes the community has been waiting for this project a long time," she said. "As with any construction project, there will be some inconveniences, but we hope we can keep them to a minimum for the 2 ½ years the road will be under construction."

Residents have been promised improvements on Causeway for decades, but money shortages and other priorities got in the way.

The most recent community lobbying efforts beginning in 2001 resulted in a partnership between the state and Hillsborough County. The county loaned the state millions of dollars, and in return, FDOT bumped Causeway up on its list of priority projects.

The work was supposed to start last year, but the only bid was almost twice the amount the state had to spend. Engineers and designers tweaked their plans, managers found more money and the construction market became more favorable.

Then the work was put off again late last year because of fears the busy holidays would cause construction delays and drive up the project cost.

Crews will widen Causeway to two lanes in each direction, separated by a median, and add turn lanes, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, street lights and enhanced landscaping. Ditches will be replaced by a new drainage system with pipes and retention ponds.

Carson said her agency and the contractor, Prince Contracting Co. of Palmetto, will hold a community open house with information about the project from 5 to 7 p.m. March 18 at All Events Catering's Harris Hall, 1301 78th St., Tampa.

Ansulewicz, president of the Palm River Economic Development Council, said he, his neighbors and fellow business owners are more than willing to be inconvenienced during construction.

"The people here feel they have been overlooked, and they have been overlooked," he said.

With a wider road, "property values should go up, and this should create a mini-economic development area," he said.

ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION

•The work will start with moving utilities on the north side of Causeway Boulevard. Heavy construction will begin with reworking the intersections at U.S. 41 and U.S. 301, each of which will be closed for about a week - but not at the same time. Dates for those closures have not been set.

•Lane closures at U.S. 41 will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Closures at 78th Street will be from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Closures at U.S. 301 will be from 8 p.m. to 6:40 a.m. Closures along Causeway will be from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m.

•Motorists will be kept informed about lane closures and other updates by electronic message boards and the media.

•Construction crews will work at several areas at the same time to speed construction.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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