State Legislators Propose A New Way To Fund S.R. 56 Extension

By Matt Wiley

Although it lies in Wesley Chapel in Pasco County, S.R. 56 is an important road for the region and one that many New Tampa drivers utilize every day. While already three and four lanes through Wesley Chapel, S.R. 56 (see map) is set to be extended from where it currently ends at Meadow Pointe Blvd. to Zephyrhills.

Currently proposed as a two-lane extension from Meadow Pointe Blvd. to U.S. 301 (and intersecting with Morris Bridge Rd.), Dist. 17 State Senator John Legg (R-Lutz) and Dist. 38 State Representative Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) announced a potential solution to ensure that the 6.7-mile extension of S.R. 56 into Zephyrhills will be built as four lanes (two in each direction) between Meadow Pointe Blvd. and U.S. 301.

FDOT awarded the more-than-$30-million contract for the S.R. 56 extension to Tampa-based Cone & Graham, Inc., in October, but only for a two-lane extension that could begin construction in 2016. FDOT determined that the overall $60-million project to initially construct a four-lane road was too costly and that additional lanes could be added in the future. If built as a two-lane road, the initial two lanes will serve as the eastbound lanes, once the additional lanes are added.

After meetings with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)’s legislative team and FDOT secretary Jim Boxold, Sen. Legg and Rep. Burgess have announced that a solution may be available in the form of a low-interest loan to Pasco from the State Infrastructure Bank (SIB). According to the U.S. DOT, “SIBs are revolving infrastructure investment funds for surface transportation that are established and administered by states.”

In addition to loaning money, the SIB also has a credit enhancement program that helps leverage funds to improve the feasibility of the project, the release said. An official “Letter of Interest” from Pasco is required before an interest rate on the SIB loan can be determined. The issue ultimately will go before the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), but a date for that decision had not yet been set at our press time.

SIB loans have been used for other projects in Tampa, including the construction of the I-4/Crosstown Connector.

 “As a lifelong resident of east Pasco County, I understand the important economic impact and the need for the expansion of S.R. 56 to four lanes from Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills,” Rep. Burgess said. “Since being elected as a state representative, I have heard from many of my constituents about this important issue and have worked tirelessly to advocate for this infrastructure project. .”

Sen. Legg concurred, “This presents a tremendous opportunity for our community and should be seized. Widening (the extension of) S.R. 56 is vital to realizing our region’s potential. This cannot get done unless the state, the county and the private sector come together for the benefit of our east Pasco County residents.”