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Deadline Extended To Find Median Sponsors

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By SUSAN M. GREEN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

Updated: 02/11/2008 09:33 pm

RUSKIN - Hillsborough County officials have extended a deadline for the Ruskin Community Development Foundation to find sponsors to take over maintenance of up to nine medians in a 1.7-mile stretch of U.S. 41.

The new deadline is March 6.

Four of the medians between College and 19th avenues have been landscaped over the years, thanks to grants or private donations. U.S. 41 is a state highway, but the county has been maintaining the medians in accordance with state standards at the request of Ruskin community leaders.

Last year, county officials announced that budget cuts would put an end to the maintenance. State transportation officials said budget constraints dictate that medians have only grass and palm trees to make them cheaper to maintain. If sponsors are not found, the landscaping other than grass and palm trees will be removed.

Julie Johanboeke, general manager for Hillsborough's Public Works Department, said last week that the foundation has obtained an estimate for median maintenance. She said the county will give the foundation some time to recruit sponsors.

Community leaders and county officials have said signs would be posted on the medians to recognize sponsors who agree to share in or pay for maintenance.

For information, call Sandy Council at (813) 645-7710.

30th Street Southeast To Close

A popular shortcut between the Sun City Center-Ruskin area and 19th Avenue will be closed for a month to allow contractors for Ryan Companies US to install a system of stormwater and wastewater culverts under 30th Street Southeast.

Ryan is developing a corporate park at 19th and 30th.

Signs went up last week announcing the closure of 30th, starting today. Motorists can use Cypress Lakes Boulevard east of 30th Street or 12th Street Southeast to the west to travel between 19th and College Avenue.
Flamingo Drive Remains Closed

Work to rebuild the intersection at Flamingo Drive and Fairway Boulevard in Apollo Beach, where the county recently shored up sagging bridge supports, will take a few days longer than officials previously announced.

Flamingo is scheduled to remain closed at Fairway through Feb. 24.

Duck And Dodge

In Riverview, Tampa Electric Co. plans to install power poles in the Riverview Highlands area off Balm-Riverview Road and may need to block lanes at times on Tucker Road, Leonard Avenue and Third Street. The work is scheduled for completion by March 15.

Several streets in the Suntree Estates area of Riverview may be affected by lane closures for the next year, as Verizon prepares to install fiber-optic cable in the neighborhood.

Those streets include Lake St. Charles Boulevard, Hackney Drive, Krycul Avenue, Early Gold Lane and Marsanne Place.

For information, call (813) 272-5275.

In the Gibsonton and Ruskin areas, motorists on U.S. 41 may encounter blocked lanes as state highway crews resurface the road between Bullfrog Creek and 19th Avenue, according to information from the Florida Department of Transportation.

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 Green at (813) 865-1566 or e-mail sgreen@tampatrib.com with suggestions for "Getting Around."

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

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