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Turn Lanes Approved At Little And Hudson

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: February 12, 2009

HUDSON - Pasco County commissioners hope to turn a corner - literally, in this case - after giving the green light to turn-lane additions at the intersection of Little Road and Hudson Avenue.
Intersection improvements such as this might get a boost from the federal economic stimulus money being debated in Washington, although this particular project is not currently on Pasco's wish list.

The Little-Hudson intersection has been tricky for drivers for some time now, with the danger of rear-end collisions.

Through lanes on both streets double as right-turn lanes - never the best arrangement when cars often are zipping along faster than the 45 mph speed limit, according to a county staff report.

Commissioners on Jan. 27 decided on which configuration to use. Alternative No. 1 would add right-turn lanes by widening both sides of Hudson Avenue by 12 feet. Little Road would gain a northbound turn lane by widening the street 12 feet on the east side.

Now the trick is for the county to find the money for the project.

President Barack Obama has been talking up rebuilding the nation's infrastructure as one way to give the economy a shot in the arm.

The county's wish list for extra federal funds for transportation projects could become a hot topic at today's meeting of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Two intersection improvements appear on Pasco's list for possible federal help. Both projects are on Perrine Ranch Road, at Grand Boulevard and Seven Springs Boulevard. The two intersections could gain turn lanes and traffic signals.

Penny for Pasco sales tax revenue was designated for those intersections, but the projects were among those delayed because land would have to be purchased.

The same problem could slow down the Little-Hudson intersection improvements.

Alternative 1 requires the county to buy land from an existing commercial parcel on the southeast corner of the intersection, according to the Pasco Engineering Services Department study.

Alternative 1 is still the least expensive option at an estimated total of $1,067,334. The cost of the land is estimated at $17,424, a rather small percentage of the total.

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