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C.R. 579 Bridge Closed For Repairs

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By SUSAN M. GREEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 5, 2008

WIMAUMA - WIMAUMA - County officials say a routine check of the County Road 579 bridge turned up some rotting supports, and the bridge will be closed to traffic for at least two months for further inspection and repairs.

The bridge near the Hillsborough-Manatee county line initially was closed June 27 only to heavy trucks, but officials revised their plans and shut down access to all traffic. County spokesman Patrick Murray said trucks drivers were ignoring warning signs.

He said two of 24 wooden pilings were damaged and must be reinforced with concrete. Inspectors will have to test the remaining supports to determine whether they are sound. High water in the Little Manatee River is hindering the investigation.

Motorists approaching from either the Hillsborough or Manatee end of C.R. 579 will have to use U.S. 301 as a detour.

"We do apologize," Murray said. "We know it's a long detour."
Leaky Pipeline Closes Roads

RIVERVIEW - An old pipeline threading through Riverview to link Mosaic Fertilizer's processing plant to its water source at Lithia Springs has been leaking and causing headaches for motorists, including three road closures in the past month.

Water from the pipeline washed out part of the road base of Riverview Drive in early June, leading to a section between Dean Street and Albyar Avenue being closed for several days.

Last week, work crews had to close a portion of Hackney Drive for 11/2 days for repairs, the second time in a month that Hackney motorists have had to take detours.

Mosaic spokeswoman Chris Smith said last week the pipeline is decades old. Company officials met recently to discuss the problem but have not made a decision whether to replace the pipe or continue repairing it.

"It has been an ongoing problem, and we know the neighbors are concerned," Smith said. "We are looking for a way to come up with a long-term solution."

Bypass Route Erased Again

LITHIA - Members of R-LAND (Rural Lithia Area Neighborhood Defense) are celebrating another erasure of a road or rail route through southeast Hillsborough County that would have transected preservation land and country-style communities.

Kelly Cornelius, R-LAND vice president, said a draft version of the plan was approved last week by the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority. Among suggested improvements cut from consideration was a route that followed an old railroad corridor stretching northeast from the Port Manatee area through Wimauma and Lithia.

Authority officials said in earlier public meetings they couldn't predict whether the route would be part of a rail system or limited-access highway. Proposals for a super-highway on that pathway, often referred to as the Brandon Bypass or Brandon Beltway, drew protests from rural residents, anti-sprawl activists and environmentalists.

The route was removed from a previously approved county transportation plan and taken out of consideration for comprehensive plan amendments.

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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