Meeting Set Tonight On Long-Awaited Bell Shoals Widening Project

VALRICO, FL -- A two-lane road that filters traffic from the populated communities of Riverview and FishHawk Ranch into Brandon will finally get some relief.

Hillsborough County will hold a public information meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 23, to discuss a $65 million project to widen Bell Shoals Road between Bloomingdale Avenue and Boyette Road.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Bloomingdale High School, 1700 E. Bloomingdale Ave. in Valrico.

The project is aimed at improving safety and mobility along the heavily traveled thoroughfare. Approximately three miles of Bell Shoals between Bloomingdale and Boyette will be widened from two lanes to four lanes with landscaped medians. The work also will include widening the existing bridge over the Alafia River, bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides of the road, upgrades to traffic signals at Glenhaven Drive, Rosemead Lane and Bloomingdale Avenue, enhanced pedestrian features, a new traffic signal at Starwood Avenue and improved stormwater drainage.

Click here to see plans for the entrances to River Rapids, The Shoals, Parkland Estates, Indian Hills, Riverwoods, Emerald Creek, Oakdale Reserve, South Oaks and Bloomingdale East and West.

Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of 2018 and be completed in 2022. Funding for the project comes from several sources:

• Local Gas Tax: $8 million
• Community Investment Tax (CIT): $27 million
• General and Other Revenue Funds: $10 million
• Public Utilities Relocation Fund: $4 million
• FishHawk Ranch Developer (Newland Communities) Contribution: $16 million

All right of way acquisition is being processed and paid for by Hillsborough County. The bridge construction at the Alafia River and Bloomingdale Intersection improvements are also being funded by Hillsborough County. All other design and construction costs related to the project will be funded by Newland Communities.

Of the total $65 million project, $5 million will go to the design, $20 million to land acquisition and $40 million to construction.

What To Expect During Construction

• The work will involve heavy equipment and excavation, and will generate normal construction noise.
• In some areas, traffic lane closures may be necessary. For the safety of the workers, pedestrians and other motorists, please observe all traffic control measures.
• Construction will be in the right of way; however, at times it will be necessary to work on private property. All areas affected by the construction will be restored.
• There will be extensive traffic control measures implemented during the construction. Please observe all traffic signs and be aware of potential shifts in traffic patterns.
• Excavation work can sometimes cause an accidental water pipeline break or similar problem. As required by the Hillsborough County Health Department, instructions for a precautionary boil water notice will be issued for any water service interruption.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting to see the plans, ask questions and provide comments. Additional information for the Bell Shoals Road widening project is available by clicking here.

Image via Google Earth

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