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A Reader Awaits His Turn

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By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

CARROLLWOOD - Carrollwood News & Tribune reader Bruce Emerson wants to know why there is no dedicated right-turn lane on southbound Himes Avenue at Hillsborough Avenue.

That portion of the road has an entrance to a Wendy's restaurant at the northwest corner of the intersection, after which space is available for drivers to finagle their way into a right turn during red lights, though it is not technically a turn lane.

Mike Williams, Hillsborough County's manager of design and engineering support, said he is looking into why there is not a designated turn lane there. He added a road project was completed at the intersection in 2004.

Emerson also asked whether plans are being considered to widen Himes Avenue between Hillsborough and Waters avenues. Williams said he would look into those questions and respond to the News & Tribune.

Another reader, Meredith Giglia, e-mailed with a roadway concern. Giglia wrote that during her commute out of downtown Tampa, northbound on North Jefferson Street, she has to contend with a formidable hole at the railroad tracks where the road meets East Polk Street.

"Even at a very slow speed, less than 5 mph, the left lane is quite a hole to drive through," Giglia wrote.

She said she "can't seem to get anyone from the county or CSX to respond." CSX spokeswoman Meg Sacks said officials from CSX have checked out the complaint. "We have a record of concern about this crossing," she said.

Other projects affecting traffic include:

•In Lutz, at the Boulevard of the Roses and Lutz-Lake Fern Road intersection road reconstruction is continuing, as is the installation of a mast arm for traffic signals, scheduled for completion on June 22.

•In Lake Magdalene, Bearss Avenue between Florida Avenue and Winding Creek Drive is under construction fora traffic separator until Feb. 29.

•In Carrollwood, at the Valencia Road and Nakora Drive intersection, the replacement of failing stormwater pipes is continuing. The project is scheduled to finish Feb. 15.

•Verizon's telephone poles and wires are being replaced on Hutchinson Road between Carey and Pennington roads until March 30.

•In Citrus Park, road improvements are continuing on Gunn Highway between Hixon Road and Keystone Crossing Boulevard until Aug. 29.

•In Town 'N Country on Waters Avenue, a bus stop, including a shelter and sidewalk improvements, is expected to be complete by Friday.

Also on Waters, a turn-lanes project for Woodland Center Boulevard between Sun State Street and Manhattan Avenue may slow traffic between rush hours until June 6.

•On Woodland Center Boulevard, driveway and sidewalk work will go on between rush hours until June 6.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS?

Are there local traffic or road issues that concern you? Construction projects you wonder about, or hazards other drivers should know about? If so, contact reporter Harold Valentine at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine @tampatrib.com.

Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.

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