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Drivers Waiting For Their Turns

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By SUSAN M. GREEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

RIVERVIEW - The turn lanes looked finished weeks ago, tantalizing rush-hour drivers who wait in long lines at the spot where Boyette Road-Gibsonton Drive meets U.S. 301.

The fresh asphalt and painted lines said yes. The orange-and-white barricades said no.
Dave Kulow of Boyette Springs wanted to know why.

The Florida Department of Transportation, which is overseeing intersection improvements that were required of the Lowe's shopping center developer, was waiting for a final inspection before opening the lanes, said department spokeswoman Kris Carson.

The work included tweaking the signals at the site. An inspector was due to check them Tuesday, the day after an ammonia pipeline under the U.S. 301 bridge was damaged. The resulting leak shut down U.S. 301 between Gibsonton and Riverview drives through Wednesday afternoon.

Carson said she expected the new turn lanes to open for traffic shortly after the inspector tests the lights.
Duck And Dodge
Hillsborough County officials have issued permits for the following intermittent lane closures:

• In Wimauma, Tampa Electric Co. crews may close alternating lanes on Bill Tucker Road between West Lake Drive and U.S. 301 through Nov. 30 to replace power poles. The northbound lane of West Lake between Bill Tucker and Guadalupe Boulevard may also be affected.

• In Ruskin, the northbound lane of 15th Street Southeast may be closed from time to time between College Avenue and 10th Street to allow installation of a cross drain. Work is permitted through Dec. 21.

• In Gibsonton, the westbound lane of Symmes Road between East Bay Road and Brancato Lane may be affected by the installation of a water main and sidewalks. Intermittent closures are permitted through Jan. 8.

• In Apollo Beach, the eastbound outside lane of Big Bend Road between Kings Lake Drive and Kings Crossing Drive may be closed to allow construction of a driveway entrance. Work is permitted through Dec. 9.

For information about any of these permits, call county officials at (813) 272-5275.

GOT A QUESTION?

Do you wonder why two roads come together as they do? Know about a recurring traffic hazard or bottleneck in your South Shore neighborhood or on your commute? Think you know a way to relieve traffic jams? Call Susan M. Green at (813) 865-1566 or e-mail sgreen@tampatrib.com with suggestions for "Getting Around."

Reporter Susan M. Green can be reached (813) 865-1566 or sgreen@tampatrib.com.

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