What Is Being Done About Morris Bridge Rd.? 

Will The ‘Rural’ Road’s Flooding Following Hurricane Milton & Clear Need For Widening Ever Be Addressed? 

This is Morris Bridge Rd. looking south from the entrance to Cory Lake Isles on a usual weekday morning. For those who live along this formerly rural roadway, the daily commute to Tampa can be an absolute nightmare. So, what, if anything, is being done about it? (Photo by Joel Provenzano) 

 What are some of the things New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have in common? 

In addition to car washes, nail salons and self-storage facilities, both rely heavily on two “major” north-south roadways — the eight- (in New Tampa) or six-lane (in Wesley Chapel) Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and the mostly two-lane Morris Bridge (MB) Rd — as important daily travel routes. 

Due to the explosive growth in both K-Bar Ranch/Easton Park in New Tampa and, especially, in the plethora of new developments in and near Wesley Chapel, dependence upon MB Rd. has continued to grow year after year. 

However, traveling on the winding, two-lane MB Rd. from the Fletcher Ave. exit off I-75 in Hillsborough up into Pasco County can be a white-knuckle experience for any motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian — and for more than just one reason. 

Development has caused this formerly rural roadway to be plagued by flooding (resulting in closures), as well as by heavy traffic, safety concerns, poor road conditions and some other silly stuff that commuters in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel have to deal with every day. 

With three mattresses tied to a roof, even a single Nissan Altima going 25 mph at rush hour can create havoc on MB Rd., generating a quarter-mile-long backup of angry drivers, all inching over the centerline to see if they can pass. Yes, we observed this while standing outside our vehicle and taking photos from the entrance to Cory Lake Isles! 

We reached out to both Hillsborough County and City of Tampa governmental officials to find out their thoughts, and if there are any “real” projects actually moving forward to improve MB Rd. We provided them with a list of questions that did generate some responses. 

We specifically asked if there were any planned capacity or safety improvement projects in the works, especially any widening plans to handle future volumes, or how the county (since MB Rd. is a county road that serves both city and county residents, as does BBD) plans to handle those traffic volumes that are expected to significantly increase over next few years, due to development on the north end — primarily the continuing expansion of K-Bar Ranch and the massive Two Rivers development, which is really just getting started building near MB Rd. both north and south of the Hillsborough-Pasco county line. 

In short, much-needed flooding countermeasures have been installed (following the multi-week shutdown of MB Rd. north of Cross Creek [CC] Blvd. following Hurricane Milton last October) and both a safety project and resurfacing project are coming, but any real vehicle capacity/ modernization projects are still up in the air. District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, in his final term in his seat, at least has an idea about how to address the everyday traffic on MB Rd. 

Although MB Rd. is entirely a county roadway, roughly 1/3 of the people living along the roadway live within Tampa’s city limits, with all of those residents (at least until the Hillsborough portion of Two Rivers begins building) living in the city-based New Tampa developments of Cory Lake Isles, Easton Park and K-Bar Ranch. 

As such, we were grateful to interview Viera to get his opinion about some of the county’s responses, and what he’d like to see done as a proven champion of innovative intergovernmental (meaning city and county) collaboration. 

He specifically notes that there’s a, “Need to modernize Morris Bridge. The City has to work with the county on long- term solutions,” indicating that county officials can’t, and shouldn’t have to, try to fix MB Rd. all by themselves. 

Viera believes that one of the biggest issues in the past (in regards to capacity improvements) has been the obvious environmental concerns, since MB Rd. winds past thousands of acres of multiple county parks (Flatwoods, Morris Bridge Park, etc.). He explains that, “We need to be respectful of the environment, but the environmental issues have been the biggest roadblock (to improving MB Rd.).” 

Viera clearly believes that NOW is the time for a change. “You know what?,” he says. “Next week [the week of March 24, or after we went to press with this issue], I’m going to make a motion to City Council,” in regards to creating a shared vision for MB Rd. by having the city reach out to the county. 

Since the road actually winds through two counties, Viera says he also plans to reach out to District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman (who represents the portion of Wesley Chapel directly to the west and north of the county line at MB Rd.) to also try to get Pasco’s buy-in and help with that shared vision. 

Since several places of worship, and multiple new businesses and communities are quickly popping up along the route, he feels the “rural nature” of the road isn’t keeping up with the times or its now more modern suburban context. 

While the original Morris “Bridge” is long gone, a bridge that was originally located just north of the Pasco County line (near where an underwhelming box culvert now sits), MB Rd. still exists as an “old” rural road abutted by suburban communities. 

How old? Apparently, more than 100 years old! In fact, MB Rd. may be one of the oldest surviving (and continually used) county arterial roads in Tampa, coming from a time when maps of the county and state were more likely to show railroads than roads, because that was the primary form of transportation for those traveling long distances. 

Without these primitive roads being shown on maps, their existence, location, and purpose had to be shared by word of mouth and/or in newspaper articles, especially for newer routes. What was written over a hundred years ago about Morris Bridge as a fledgling route was absolutely fascinating. 

In its June 1, 1923, edition, The Dade City Banner (photo, left) had the following article: 

GOOD ROUTE OPEN TO TAMPA 

BY WAY OF MORRIS BRIDGE 

“The recent heavy rains having made the route [where S.R. 39 sits today] to Tampa by way of Crystal Springs and Plant City impassable, there has been considerable inquiry as to another route that could be used by parties who found it necessary to visit the South Florida metropolis and did not care to avail themselves of the convenient train schedules. A number of people have been making the trip lately by way of the Morris Bridge and pronounce that route not only perfectly passable but a surprisingly good one. It is about 12 miles shorter than by way of Plant City. 

To follow this route one turns west at the railroad crossing at Zephyrhills, goes to Will Ryals farm, about a mile from town, from there to Jim Hills’ place. Here take a plain road running southwest and at all forks take the one running in that direction. This road is said to be graded the entire distance and, from the Morris Bridge at the county line to Harney has been clayen [sand-clay]. From Harney a brick road leads to Tampa.” 

This is funny, because to this day, Morris Bridge Rd. still becomes Harney Rd. at its very southern terminus in Temple Terrace. 

Speaking of flooding and impassable roads, our field review showed where repairs had been done when the road was flooded (and closed) multiple times last year. We asked Hillsborough County staffers if these repairs were permanent fixes that will reduce flooding and road closures in the future, or just temporary fixes to repair the damage? 

Todd Pratt, who is with the Hillsborough County Media Relations Department, says that, “The repairs done after Milton were permanent fixes that consisted of replacing culverts that convey water under and across Morris Bridge Rd. These culverts had collapsed/washed out during the hurricane.” 

Time, and the next major rainy season, will tell if these repairs will hold, or if new ones will be needed. 

Regarding MB Rd. safety projects, Hillsborough senior media relations strategist Chris Wilkerson says that, “Morris Bridge Road has a planned safety improvement project (see below) slated to begin later this year. The contract for the project is planned to go before the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) in April. If approved, the project would address safety concerns on the roadway, including documented consistent high rates of speed and distracted drivers. The project is designed to address speeding and motorist lane departure crashes.” 

Proposed Safety Improvements – $2.1 million: 

‱ No Passing Zones w/Vertical Delineators 

‱ Reflective & Profiled Lane Line Markings 

‱ Speed Feedback Signs, Flashing Beacons for Intersection Ahead & Curve Warning & Signal Head Back Plates 

‱ Bike Lane & Safety Enhancements at Bridge over Hillsborough River 

‱ Bicycle Signs and Lane Markings & Wildlife Signs 

Meanwhile, Viera says that, “$2.1 million is wonderful, but we need to push that envelope!,” although he says he is really happy to see that “speed feedback signs” and “no passing” enhancements, are part of the safety project, as these would address issues his constituents have discussed with him. 

The last time MB Rd. (at least north of CC Blvd.) was resurfaced was way back in 2002. The portion south of CC Blvd. is in somewhat better shape, as it was last resurfaced in 2017. 

A physical review we conducted of the corridor noted aging/deteriorating pavement with potholes, multiple patches, narrow, worn or no shoulders, no sidewalks (except self-funded ones in front of a few businesses) and very narrow lane widths at a few points (mostly north of Cory Lake Isles approaching and into Pasco County). 

So, is MB Rd. on the county’s list of roadways to be resurfaced? We hadn’t previously seen or heard of MB Rd. as being on any 3R (Resurfacing, Restoration, Rehabilitation) project list. 

But, Pratt told us, “The Florida Legislature has identified repaving projects to be completed in Hillsborough County using a portion of the previously collected Transportation Surtax funds (see below). One of the roads to be repaved is Morris Bridge Road. The County will need to coordinate this paving to be done in conjunction with the safety improvement project.” 

Confused? You may recall that back in 2018, Hillsborough County voters had passed a one-cent sales tax to fund needed transportation projects. This tax ended up being legally challenged, and was found to be unconstitutional by the Florida Supreme Court in March 2021. But, by then, the county had already collected about $589 million from local taxpayers. 

After the tax was eliminated, state lawmakers went ahead and made a plan to split that collected money up between county road improvement projects, a Hillsborough tax holiday, reimbursement of the county’s legal fees, and a settlement fund that would allow Hillsborough taxpayers and residents to receive refunds (up to $100 without showing any receipts). 

That plan began about a year ago, when county commissioners met to start dividing up the funds. It was decided that about $256 million would go towards road projects (including road resurfacing). At the beginning of March of this year, the first $17 million of that money started being distributed, with all of the funds expected to reach the long list of target projects by 2030. 

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is slated to make sure the county completes these projects by the deadline. That overall plan will be up for approval at one of the upcoming BOCC meetings in April. 

At our press time, county officials had not yet responded to our most pressing question — How does the county plan to handle MB Rd. volumes that surely will significantly increase over next few years due to development on the north end of the road (from K-Bar Ranch, Two Rivers and other Pasco developments), and what those forecasted volumes (if they’ve been forecasted through traffic studies or other models) might be, compared with recent historic volumes (meaning, how much growth in percentage or number of vehicles is expected?). 

Current state data shows an annual average daily traffic (or AADT) of 15,000 vehicles per day for MB Rd.. (Note-AADT is the total number, in both directions, of vehicular trips taken on that road each day, divided by 365 days in a year.) 

Based on our preliminary calculations, it would not be unreasonable to see an increase of 20% in the traffic volumes over the next few years, given the size of the future developments that will be connected to the road. 

As we had written in a previous article from April of 2024, the final phase of K-Bar Ranch in Hillsborough will add hundreds more homes, and open up ALL of K-Bar to MB Rd. via an extension of K-Bar Ranch Pkwy. to the east, past Easton Park. Once that extension has been completed, this also will subsequently open all of the Union Park and Meadow Pointe developments in Wesley Chapel to MB Rd. as well, via the planned Wyndfields Blvd. extension to the south, and the existing Meadow Pointe Blvd. extension. 

The 6,000-acre Two Rivers development on the edge of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa (although it actually is located in Zephyrhills in Pasco and Thonotosassa in Hillsborough) will be adding an estimated 7,500 more residences, plus commercial developments, the Peak Surf Park and schools, with its north-south traffic to be split between U.S. Hwy. 301 and MB Rd. But, as anyone living in the area might imagine, it will still have a significant impact on MB Rd. 

The current bridge over the Hillsborough River on MB Rd. was built in 1963. Since then, its piers have experienced significant base erosion, which is referred to as “scouring,” a critical problem that can affect the bridge’s structural sturdiness if not properly addressed. 

Based on a fact sheet put out in January 2025,Hillsborough plans to spend roughly $864,000 to, “install an articulating concrete block revetment system as a scour countermeasure.” Revetment is just a fancy way of saying a sloping structure that is usually made of stone or concrete, used to protect the riverbed around piers from erosion caused by river currents or other forces. Otherwise, the piers can become unstable if too much of the bed is eroded, which is why this is a critical repair. 

Construction of the revetment system is expected to be completed by early 2027. 

Believe it or not, your elected officials actually want — or even, make that need — to hear your traffic and safety concerns about MB Rd. 

So, how can you get involved? In addition to contacting your local county representative — District 2 Commissioner Ken Hagan — Councilman Viera wants everyone to know that he has an upcoming New Tampa Community public meeting, on Tuesday, April 15, 5:45 p.m., at the Easton Park Community Pool Clubhouse (10776 Pictorial Park Dr., Tampa). 

Viera says he will be on hand at that meeting to receive input, answer questions, and talk about MB Rd., as well as about crime, education, housing, the progress on the planned park in K-Bar Ranch and pretty much anything else New Tampa or even Tampa-related. 

Viera will be joined by a representative of the Tampa Police Department at that Town Hall-style event, as well as by District 6 (countywide) Hillsborough School Board member Karen Perez. 

For more information about that meeting, email luis.viera@tampagov.net. 

Update – Morris Bridge Rd. Has Reopened!

Although, as of the day this issue went to press, Morris Bridge Rd. between Cross Creek Blvd. and S.R. 56 was still closed (as it has been since Hurricane Milton blew through our area on Oct. 9-10), based on my conversations with more than one Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office (HCSO) deputy on duty at the Hillsborough side of the closure, the road itself and a storm drain in that segment were both damaged by the storm. 

The second deputy I spoke with said that despite reports that the road would reopen by sometime between Oct. 30-Nov. 4, he had no idea when the storm drain repairs would be completed or how long that segment of Morris Bridge Rd. would remain closed (top photo). 

K-Bar Ranch residents who normally take Morris Bridge Rd. to work and/or take their kids to and from school were still being diverted away from Morris Bridge at our press time, but the hope here is that they would be able to resume using the two-lane roadway by the time this issue reached your mailbox, but there were no guarantees. Morris Bridge Rd. is already a dangerous place to drive because of people attempting to pass slower-moving vehicles, so please don’t make the situation worse by ignoring or attempting to move the barricades. 

Speaking of damage from Milton, both entrances (at 18205 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. at 14302 Morris Bridge Rd.) to the Wilderness Conservation Park Flatwoods Site (aka “Flatwoods Park,” bottom photo) reopened on Oct. 25, even though other county parks along or off Morris Bridge Rd. in the Lower Hillsborough Wildlife Management Area — including Dead River Park and Trout Creek Conservation Park — remained closed at our press time. 

While Flatwoods Park itself is now fully passable along the 7-mile paved loop from Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and 8.25-mile loop from Morris Bridge Rd., park ranger Matthew Parejko said on Nov. 3 that many of the hiking and off-road biking portions of the park were “still not safe to use due to damage from Milton” nearly three weeks after the storm. 

A little south and east of Flatwoods, Morris Bridge Park (13630 Morris Bridge Rd.), best known for fishing along the Hillsborough River, also has reopened, although most of the areas closest to the river also remain unusable due to damage from Milton. 

For more information about Flatwoods and the other parks along Morris Bridge Rd., call (813) 426-5583. There is a regularly updated recorded message and the park rangers do return calls, too. 

The Grill At Morris Bridge Making Major Menu Changes!

When The Grill at Morris Bridge opened on Cross Creek Blvd. (next to Publix) in late 2021, many locals raved about having a locally owned sit-down dinner place that wasn’t a chain. Others said it was a little pricy for what it was and some even (incorrectly, in one editor’s opinion) complained that the portions were small.

Well, owners Frank and James Gouveia heard the calls and they’ve been working with new chef Wally Dawson (who previously was the Executive Chef at Roy’s and at Lake Jovita Country Club) to revamp The Grill’s menu, reducing the prices on many menu items, adding a few new goodies and removing some items altogether. The Grill also has put additional emphasis on a great, reduced-price Bar Menu.

Frank, who spent a lot of years in the wine distribution business, also promises some lower-cost glasses and bottles of wine, and the new Happy Hour (Tuesday-Friday, all day until 6 p.m.) features a number of specially-selected bottles for just $28, as well as $4 draft beers and $5 Corazon tequila, Spring 44 (indigo) gin, Svedka vodka, Benchmark bourbon and Bacardi rum drinks.

The bar menu includes Cacoila paprika-braised pulled pork sliders, an outstanding blackened chicken sandwich (usually served with fries, but I get it with delicious sautĂ©ed broccolini), “smash” burgers and a variety of crisp-crust, oven-baked pizzas. Our new favorite of these is the slightly spicy, slightly salty linguiça sausage pizza , although the curiously named Route 140 pizza combines the same linguiça with banana peppers and onion. You also can dress up your own cheese pizza with a variety of veggies, meats and extra cheese.

There are a number of items that Frank treated me, Jannah and photographer Charmaine George to on our most recent visit — items that are so new, they hadn’t even been added to the menu at that point, but they’re awesome.

Mine and Jannah’s favorite was the bacon-and-parmesan-crusted mahi-mahi, served on a bed of asparagus, fried capers and roasted red potatoes, with a lemon butter sauce. The crust is thick and crispy, but not overpowering and Frank and Wally said that the mahi will cost about $22, which — take my word for it — is a bargain.

Another new entrĂ©e that Jannah and I didn’t get to sample (because of my accursed shellfish allergy) but Charmaine raved about was the blackened shrimp fettuccine Alfredo. She said the sauce, pasta and shrimp were all spot-on. Wally and Frank also promised that other new menu items will be announced shortly — possibly as soon as by the time this issue reaches your mailbox.

The only thing that could make some of our favorites at The Grill at Morris Bridge even better would be lower prices. 

Among those favorites are the most authentic-tasting Caesar salad I’ve had in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel, the grilled pork chop (served with fingerling potatoes, sautĂ©ed Brussels sprouts and Romesco sauce), the 8-oz. grilled filet mignon (there’s also a tasty 12-oz NY strip and Frank says a ribeye might be added) and the chicken & broccolini (with rigatoni, diced chicken, garlic, broccolini and lemon cream sauce) and the true New England clam chowder.

Our favorite desserts are the creme brulĂ©e and the chef’s cheesecake (try either one with the perfect cappuccino or regular coffee) and The Grill also has “New Tampa’s Best Sunday Brunch” with tasty egg dishes (including a variety of Benedicts), brioche French toast and more, and the kids menu has four different items all priced at just $9.

“We don’t want The Grill to be just a ‘special occasion’ destination,” Frank says. We want it to be an affordable, family-friendly place you’ll want to visit every week.”

The Grill at Morris Bridge (10920 Cross Creek Blvd.) is open every day except Monday for lunch and dinner. For more information, call (813) 388-5353, visit TheGrillat MorrisBridge.com or search “The Grill at Morris Bridge” on Facebook.

Nibbles & Bites: New Stuff In New Tampa!

The Grill At Morris Bridge

Although we don’t know exactly when, New Tampa is getting yet another non-chain restaurant.

After years of being home to a Beef O’Brady’s and then, for a short time, the ill-fated Chefs of Napoli (and for about a minute, Regina Margherita), the westernmost corner location in the Cross Creek Commons plaza on Cross Creek Blvd. at Morris Bridge Rd., will apparently be home to The Grill at Morris Bridge.

Located to the west of Great Expressions Dental Center (photo) and just two doors down from Publix, which owns the 18-year-old plaza, The Grill at Morris Bridge is currently under construction, a $250,000 job that, according to plans filled with the City of Tampa, will include a restaurant and bar.

We’re also not sure what kind of food the new place will be offering, but the new restaurant will be about 2,400 sq. ft. inside, and will have seating for roughly 145 customers. The Grill also will have a 240-sq.-ft. outdoor patio on the far west side parallel to Meadows Rd. (facing Heritage Elementary), as well as a bar with 16 seats.

Here’s hoping The Grill at Morris Bridge will be opening sooner than later. —  JCC

The Bean Bar Co. Coffee & Artisanal Eats

The new The Bean Bar Co. Coffee & Artisanal Eats is now open in the Shoppes at The Pointe at Tampa Palms plaza, near Koizi Endless Hibachi and Palms Pharmacy at 17018 Palm Pointe Dr.

The place looks awesome inside, with a hip and artsy interior and casual seating for customers. If you’ve ever enjoyed The Bean Bar’s coffee drinks from their mobile unit, you know you’re in for a treat.

So, go check them out in person, or visit BeanBarCo.com or call (814) 442-7699 and please tell them I sent you.

‱ Speaking of beverages, both the second location of Provisions Coffee & Kitchen and the new Mint Cocktail Lounge are expected to open soon in the Palms Connection plaza on E. Bearss Ave., just west of BBD. 

As mentioned above left, the first Provisions is now open at the KRATE at The Grove container park. The second Provisions is expected to open a week or two before Mint, which is owned by the same owner as the Bearss Tavern & Tap in the same plaza. Mint will have full liquor and bar snacks and it is beautiful inside.

‱ And, although it’s only an unconfirmed rumor as we went to press, we’ve been told that the end cap in the Shoppes at Amberly plaza in Tampa Palms previously occupied by McNatt’s Cleaners (and Cotney’s Cleaners before that) will be a drive-through bagel place. — GN