TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

U.S. 301 reaction quiet

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: November 6, 2009

ZEPHYRHILLS - When the Florida Department of Transportation staff outnumbers residents at a public hearing, it's a pretty good indicator that the road project will not be a controversial one.

A handful of property owners attended the hearing and none spoke against the department's plans for the 7½-mile segment of U.S. 301 between Zephyrhills and Dade City.

The DOT axed plans to widen the entire road to six lanes, opting instead to widen the segment from Eiland Boulevard to Kossik Road in Zephyrhills. 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. The entire project would cost about $42 million.

Earlier proposals called for widening the road all the way from Eiland to the U.S. 98 Bypass, which would have forced the relocation of dozens of businesses in Dade City and doubled the cost of the project.

"People say we never change projects, but we do all the time," DOT spokeswoman Marian Scorza said.

Shirley Trish and other residents of Spanish Trail mobile home park were concerned about increased noise and access to the community, but the initial plan calls for a sound wall to be erected along Gall Boulevard.

The department has money in its 2014 budget to design the road, but construction is unfunded and likely wouldn't happen for decades.

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT