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Trail Planning Is On Track

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By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: February 26, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - County officials are wishing happy trails to west Pasco County pedestrians, bicyclists and exercisers.

A long-range plan would add paths, sidewalks or intersection improvements along roads, according to consultants who recently met with the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Just don't be in a hurry to hit the trails. The county will have to set aside $15 million by 2025 to build the amenities.

At this early stage, the options are being studied before looking for grants, said Luis A. Ferreira, a project engineer from a Tampa office of the Jacobs consulting firm, which is advising county leaders.

Connections with the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail are among the suggestions, and an extension of the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park trail to New Port Richey is on the county's wish list for federal stimulus money.

In the meantime, the county's best chance to fast-track projects would be to build 12-foot multiuse trails along roads using the existing utility corridors, Ferreira said. Progress Energy Florida would have to go along with that concept, he added.

U.S. 19 presents unique challenges. A trail in place of sidewalks is one option. A bike lane along the shoulder of the highway could be another option.

"The driveways into businesses cause major problems," Ferreira said. Drivers turning on to U.S. 19 might not anticipate bicyclists and pedestrians crossing in the path of vehicles.

At the U.S. 19 bridge over the Pithlachascotee River, an underpass is gaining traction as an option for foot traffic. A boardwalk along the bridge is under consideration.

Four intersections along U.S. 19 might be reconfigured to be more pedestrian-friendly. The intersections at Ridge Road, Grand Boulevard, Main Street and Trouble Creek Road could get makeovers.
MPO members suggested putting in warning signs and pavement markings alerting drivers to be on the lookout for bicyclists.

"Right now it's extraordinarily dangerous," said New Port Richey Councilman Rob Marlowe.

Cars turning at busy intersections on U.S. 19 could collide with people on bikes, said Marlow, a self-described avid bicyclist.

"I cringe every time I see someone in the community on a bicycle," Marlowe said. "It's scary."

Other possible projects listed in the MPO trails feasibility study include:

•Holiday: Sweetbriar Drive extension, potential connection to Pinellas Trail Utility Corridor, Key Vista Nature Park and Gulf Trace Boulevard

•Coastal area: Sea Forest corridor and Oelsner Road

•New Port Richey: Rivers Edge, historical downtown, New Port Richey Aquatics and Recreation Center, connection to Starkey Preserve

•Port Richey: Miller Bayou Park, Brasher Park, Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park and Scenic Drive to future connection northward.

•Trinity: Potential connection between Pinellas Trail via Keystone Road and Starkey Trail.

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