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FishHawk Widening Issues Discussed

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By TOM BRENNAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 2, 2008

Updated:

LITHIA - As the developer of FishHawk Ranch puts final touches on plans to widen and upgrade FishHawk Boulevard, residents say they are concerned about how the work will impede getting on, off or across the major east-west thoroughfare.

Access to Newsome High School, Randall Middle School a new athletic complex north of FishHawk Boulevard were foremost among the concerns of residents at a meeting Aug. 27 at the Palmetto Club.

Newland Communities and its design engineers, CPH Engineers Inc., called the public workshop to unveil preliminary plans to widen the road to four lanes between Bell Shoals and Lithia-Pinecrest roads.

More than 30 people attended the workshop.

Newland officials agreed to widen FishHawk Boulevard as part of $71 million in transportation improvements they assumed when they purchased land from Pulte Homes. Pulte had county approval to build the controversial Lake Hutto project on the property but backed out in May.

Most of those attending the meeting said they don't contest the engineer's plan for adding the extra two lanes. They worried more about how a planned 25-foot-wide median and other changes may hinder them from reaching their usual destinations.

"I think it is a pretty good plan, but there are some issues about how to get in and out of Newsome," said resident Richard Brown, whose son attends the high school.

He and others also expressed concerns about children having to cross four lanes of heavy traffic to reach Randall Middle School or the playing fields at the newly opened sports complex.

"This is a little worrisome to me," he said. "Rather than a crosswalk, you would think a pedestrian bridge would make more sense."

Mike Alonso, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office school resource deputy at Newsome, argued for at least two traffic lights in front of the campus and two median openings.

Plans for the road upgrades would allow motorists heading east on FishHawk Boulevard to make left turns into Randall, but those leaving the school would be limited to right turns only. Drivers leaving Newsome would have one place to turn left onto FishHawk.

"Parents live in both directions," Alonso said.

Thomas J. Panaseny, a Newland regional vice president, said company officials and their consultants haven't talked to county school officials yet and will raise the residents' concerns at those meetings.

"Everyone would love a traffic signal at every spot," said John Melendes, a CPH manager. But he said designers must balance that desire against a number of other factors.

"When it comes to design, safety is our No. 1 priority," he said.

Melendes said the new lanes would be added on the north side of the existing road. Existing lanes should remain open during construction, except along the sharp curve near Bell Shoals.

He said work will begin later this year near the site of future elementary and middle schools on the south side of FishHawk Boulevard about 3,000 feet east of Bell Shoals Road. The schools will be part of a new residential development Newland has not named.

Melendes said widening the rest of FishHawk Boulevard should begin in 2009 and be completed by the end of 2010.

Some at the meeting said they worry that widening the road will only invite more traffic and development.

"Making it four lanes is only going to make it more of a speedway than it is now," said FishHawk resident Jeff Williams.

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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