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U.S. 301 widening likely to be limited

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: November 4, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - The Florida Department of Transportation's plans for widening U.S. 301 between Zephyrhills and Dade City involves very little widening.

The department studied two options for widening the 71/2-mile road to six lanes, but project costs would have ranged from $85 million to $215 million. Both plans would have forced the department to buy extensive right of way and could have forced the closure of more than 30 businesses.

So instead, the DOT will recommend widening only the southernmost segment between Eiland Boulevard and Kossik Road. The rest of the highway would remain as is, except for intersection improvements at Centennial Road, Clinton Avenue, Morningside Drive and U.S. 98 Bypass. No businesses or residences would be relocated, and the entire project would cost about $42 million.

The news is a relief to Dade City business owners like Donald Kirkland, who faced the possibility of losing his photo shop if the department had opted to widen the entire road.

"I was afraid they were going to pass the one where they condemn all our property," Kirkland said. "I had lawyers send me letters offering to represent me. This would have been looming over us for years."

The DOT will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. today to receive feedback before moving forward with the recommendation. The department has money in its 2014 budget to design the road, but construction is unfunded and likely wouldn't happen for decades.

"I'm glad to see that, because I'm not sure we need to go to six lanes between Zephyrhills and Dade City," said Todd Vande Berg, planning director for Zephyrhills.

The city has been embroiled in a conflict with the DOT over its plans to widen U.S. 301 through downtown Zephyrhills because it would convert Gall Boulevard into a one-way road for northbound traffic.
Vande Berg doesn't anticipate any opposition to the plan to widen the highway north of town. The segment from County Road 54 (Eiland Boulevard) to Kossik Road already handles between 22,500 and 30,700 vehicles per day. Based on those traffic counts, the road could fail in as little as two years, according to consultants for the DOT.
Vande Berg said he was disappointed to see the proposal eliminates a multipurpose trail that would have run alongside the highway and linked the two cities. But the southern segment would receive enhancements, such as bike lanes and sidewalks.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Florida Department of Transportation public hearing for improvements to U.S. 301/Gall Boulevard

WHEN: 5 to 7 p.m. today

WHERE: Zephyr Palms Event Center, 4645 Airport Road, Zephyrhills

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 259-8109.

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