Finally! Funding approved to extend State Road 56

Pasco County District 2 Commissioner Mike Moore could barely hide his joy as the vote to approve funding to extend SR 56 neared.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said.

A few minutes later, the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted unanimously to approve funding which will go toward extending SR 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard to U.S. Highway 301/State Road 41. What was once discussed as a two-lane road will now go forward as a four-lane project using State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) funds. The project is a complicated one, involving partnerships with the City of Zephyrhills and four corridor developer/land owners.

The BOCC will now submit the SIB Loan Agreement Package to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for approval.

Funding for the project, which will cost roughly $65-million, is being provided by FDOT, Pasco County, City of Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel Lakes, Wyndfields, River Landing, and Two Rivers Ranch. FDOT is expected to contribute $35.1-million.

The road, which is expected to be delivered in its entirety by 2019, was touted for its expected enhancement of economic development opportunities and tax base in Zephyrhills and southeast Pasco County, as well as relieving traffic and making access to I-75 easier.

We’ll have more details, so check back.