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Commissioner Hears Residents On Intersection

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By TOM BRENNAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 19, 2008

Updated: 05/19/2008 05:10 pm

BRANDON County Commissioner Al Higginbotham promised to search for ways to improve the intersection of Lithia-Pinecrest and Lumsden roads in ways that are more acceptable to residents who live nearby.

He made that commitment after more than 70 residents questioned the county's improvement plans at a neighborhood meeting May 14. Many were upset about a proposal to cut off Bell Shoals and Durant roads from Lithia-Pinecrest.

"We are looking for solutions the community can buy into," said Jess Johnson, Higginbotham's senior aide, who attended the meeting. "We want to make sure the process doesn't proceed forward until their concerns have been addressed."

The response pleased Bob Kershner, one of the meeting's organizers.

"I think we got somebody's attention, and that was the point of the meeting — to inform the community and let it voice its opinion," he said.

Residents pushed for limiting motorists to right turns only into and out of Bell Shoals and Durant roads rather than blocking them off and making cul-de-sacs.

"Why not just give it a try? It would be a lot cheaper," said Tony Penaranda, whose home would abut the new cul-de-sac at the end of Durant. "What can it hurt?"

Johnson said Higginbotham will meet with staff to review improvement options, particularly those offered at the neighborhood meeting.

The county is negotiating with a consultant to do preliminary design work on improvements to the busy intersection. County engineers have been considering alternatives since 2001.

Commissioners have budgeted $5 million for the project.

Reg Alford, the county's project engineer, said the money won't be enough to do more than interim improvements such as adding left and right turn lanes along Lumsden and Lithia-Pinecrest roads. Cost estimates to make more substantial changes are running at about $35 million.

Alford said the county may ultimately have to build a new road about 1,200 feet south of the intersection connecting Bell Shoals and Durant roads. But he said the county doesn't have the money to pay for it.

Johnson said residents must understand that some changes are needed to make traffic flow more smoothly at Lumsden and Lithia-Pinecrest.

"We have a failed intersection," he said.

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

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