Pasco Commits To County Line Road

County Commissioner David Russell jokes that Pasco County has looked at County Line Road as its "fair-haired stepchild" because of its past reluctance to help fund improvements on that vital east-west corridor.
"But now, it looks like they're getting ready to adopt us," he said.
Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher told Hernando Today on Wednesday that he will add County Line Road to his county's "wish list" of capital road improvement projects and vowed to work jointly with Hernando County in seeking federal stimulus funds to facilitate long-awaited improvements.
Gallagher's only caveats are that Hernando County include County Line Road in its own "wish list" of projects and that the road be "shovel-ready," or primed for development in the next six to nine months.
Russell greeted Gallagher's announcement with enthusiasm.
"This is a long time coming," Russell said.
The Hernando County board, in its current budget, has identified the long-term rebuilding of County Line Road as a priority in its capital plan.
Russell said County Line Road, based on preliminary survey work already done, could be "shovel-ready" in the time frame Gallagher has imposed.
"I believe we can make ourselves ready," Russell said.
County Engineer Charles Mixson confirmed that County Line Road will be included in Hernando County's soon-to-be-released wish list of committed projects.
Mixson also said he can make that road development-ready in the time frame Gallagher is seeking.
"It's a challenge, but we can do it," Mixson said.
With three governmental entities committed to the County Line Road Project - Pasco and Hernando counties as well as the Florida Department of Transportation - it should boost the likelihood of obtaining federal stimulus money, outlined in the pending federal government's infrastructure program being developed by President-elect Barack Obama, Mixson said.
That money would go to counties who have committed projects that could prove a boon in stimulating the economy. The particulars of Obama's multi-billion stimulus plan will be fleshed out when he takes office in January.
The ultimate benefactors will be the drivers who can look forward to a smoother, safer commute, Mixson said.
Gallagher also told Hernando Today he plans to continue the "60/40" funding split on future widening of County Line Road, which he calls a valuable east-west corridor for both counties.
Because any improvements to County Line Road would mostly benefit local residents, Russell and Mixson said it is only fair Hernando County bear the major brunt of the funding at 60 percent.
The county has already started the process of acquiring right of way for the next phase of widening - from East Road east to Mariner Boulevard.
Hernando County would pick up 60 percent of the estimated $50 million it will cost for that phase, minus any available state or federal funding.
Russell said Gallagher's assurances are a major turning point after a decade of stalled talks between the two counties.
"I'm very encouraged to hear that," Russell added. "We've been in talks for years, but this is the first time I've seen some hard, physical evidence of (their) interest."
Gallagher credited the renewed working relationship to Hernando County Administrator David Hamilton, who recently set up a meeting between Hernando officials and their counterparts in Pasco to explore working together to make the widening of County Line Road a reality.
Hamilton and staffers impressed upon Gallagher and his staff that both counties have a joint interest in future infrastructure improvements to the road.
"(Hamilton) seems to be very interested in us working closely together, and that's something I cherish too," Gallagher said.
Hamilton said the two counties could work together on a joint plan to protect agricultural land on the eastern sides of County Line Road.
"The commitment to County Line Road would permit business development on either side of the (road), in part, based on the convenient location of the Hernando County Airport," Hamilton said.
Utilities Director Joseph Stapf has already initiated preliminary discussions with Pasco regarding a possible temporary agreement to use that county's waste incinerator to provide a "cushion of time" while Hernando continues with permitting issues at the landfill.
Meanwhile, the widening project from U.S. 19 to Cobblestone has begun. The cost is $14.4 million and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2010. The Florida Department of Transportation, using federal and state money, is providing the bulk of the funding for that phase of the project. Hernando County is kicking in money to help match federal funds.
When completed in about two years, that segment will be four lanes.