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Residents Hear Options To Improve Intersection

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 10, 2007

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KEYSTONE - The county unveiled plans Thursday for road improvements at the three-way intersection of Boy Scout Road and Race Track Road.

About 45 residents attended the meeting at the Keystone Recreation Center; most came to voice safety concerns about the intersection.

Project managers from Jacksonville design firm Arcadis offered three options: a 'no-build,' which would leave the intersection as is; traffic signalization; or construction of a roundabout.

Shawn Hiers of Arcadis led the presentation.

'The main reason we are here is to make sure you all agree with the program,' he said.

Hiers tried to dissuade residents from the no-build option, saying traffic figures for the area call for safety measures. On a grading scale from A to F, with F constituting failure, the level of traffic service to the intersection received an 'E'.

The report from Arcadis also cited 42 accidents at the intersection between 2002 and 2006.

The cost for traffic signals is estimated at $1.13 million. A 60-foot-diameter roundabout would cost $502,000.

The county handed out comment forms to be submitted to Hillsborough County commissioners, who will decide which option to support.

'I can't stress this enough: Get your opinion on the record,' said Sam Halabi, project manager for the county.

'I've lived here for over 30 years,' said Karen Duffy, who supports the traffic signal option. 'The safety factor is terrible, and the problem is only going to get worse. This is not a rural area anymore.'

Glen Winograd was one of the most vocal in support of new construction. His mother-in-law was airlifted from the intersection after a car accident two months ago. He began a campaign shortly afterward to bring attention to the problem.

Halabi said the county has set aside $600,000 for the road improvement project but stressed county commissioners would listen to residents and will endorse whichever option they feel is safest, regardless of price.

Some residents weren't convinced, saying they fear the county will select the roundabout option because it is cheaper.

'I have driven the roundabout on North Boulevard three times, and each time I almost got into an accident,' Duffy said. 'People just don't know how to drive in a roundabout.'

'I'd rather you leave it alone than build a roundabout there,' one resident said.

Another resident asked why the county is willing to address this particular issue while other requests for county attention have gone unheeded.

'The transportation program is at the top of the priority list,' Halabi said. 'That is why we're here, to listen to you.'

Others asked why the cost for signalization would be more than double that of a roundabout. Hiers said traffic poles and lights were expensive.

The road construction project would be Arcadis' first in Hillsborough County.

Halabi said there would be a six-month window for construction and work should finish by mid-2009.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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