Citrus Park Drive Extension


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Frequently Asked Questions

NEW! What are the needs and benefits of the Citrus Park Drive Extension project?

The project is needed: to serve as a critical east-west link between Countryway Boulevard and Sheldon Road; to reduce congestion on adjacent roadways by providing an acceptable level of service on the roads; to facilitate the Northwest Recreational Corridor Plan; and, to provide access to Deer Park Elementary School and the future park facilities. The project is consistent with the County's Long Range Transportation Plan.

NEW! Will Montague Street be extended to connect to Citrus Park Drive extension?

The Montague Street extension will not be a part of the Citrus Park Drive Extension project. We appreciate your comments, and will be keeping a record of them for future planning in the area.

NEW! Will the County consider buying the small strip of land at the north end of Montague Street?

Montague Street will not be extended from its existing dead end location to connect to the new Citrus Park Drive Extension. The right-of-way costs to purchase the land strip at the end of Montague Street outweigh the benefits of connecting Montague Street to the Citrus Park Drive Extension. We appreciate your comments, and will be keeping a record of them for future planning in the area.

NEW! Will the County provide a pedestrian path/trail from Montague Street to Citrus Park Drive?

A pedestrian trail will not be included as part of this project. The Department of Public Works will forward the comment to the Parks and Recreation Department for further consideration.

NEW! What will the County do to alleviate concerns about construction impacts and construction truck traffic?

All construction activities, including the hours of construction, will be performed under state and County laws and regulations. It is anticipated that construction will last approximately two years. Construction impacts will be minimized to the extent possible.

NEW! Will the County build the proposed trail as part of the Citrus Park Drive Extension project?

The proposed multi-use trail is part of the Northwest Recreational Corridor Plan, and will be addressed as the Plan is implemented in the future. The Citrus Park Drive Extension project contains a bridge that will overpass the future multi-use trail. The bridge is approximately 2,500 feet west of the County water treatment facility driveway.

NEW! Considering the proximity of the signal at Fawn Ridge Boulevard to the Sheldon Road signal, how will the intersections be managed/synchronized?

The Citrus Park Drive traffic signals at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road will be synchronized to work in conjunction and to alleviate congestion. In addition, several turn lanes are included to facilitate traffic flow:

dual left-turn lanes from eastbound Citrus Park Drive to northbound Sheldon Road;
single right-turn lane from eastbound Citrus Park Drive to southbound Sheldon Road;
single left-turn lane from northbound Sheldon Road to westbound Citrus Park Drive;
dual left-turn lanes from southbound Sheldon Road to eastbound Citrus Park Drive;
single left-turn lane from eastbound Citrus Park Drive to northbound Fawn Ridge Boulevard;
single right-turn lane from southbound Fawn Ridge Boulevard to westbound Citrus Park Drive; and,
single left-turn lane from southbound Fawn Ridge Boulevard to eastbound Citrus Park Drive.

NEW! Will the traffic signal at Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road be removed?

With the improvements, traffic simulations show the intersection does not warrant a traffic signal due to low traffic volumes from Fawn Ridge and will not operate once the Citrus Park Drive project is constructed. Therefore, the existing traffic signal will be removed as required by the County Traffic Department.

NEW! Can the County make Citrus Park Drive a truck route to provide a connection to Countryway Boulevard and Racetrack Road?

Citrus Park Drive Extension does not meet the criteria to be a designated truck route.

NEW! Will the County add a right-turn lane from northbound Countryway Boulevard to eastbound Citrus Park Drive?

Traffic simulations show a right-turn lane at this location is not warranted.

NEW! Can the County plant trees in the median and adjacent to the sidewalk to provide shade for pedestrians?

The County will look for opportunities to install landscaping along the corridor in locations where the landscaping would not violate required clear zones and pose a safety hazard. Landscaping is also contingent upon identifying homeowner associations, or similar entities, which would be responsible for landscaping maintenance.

NEW! Will the County extend medians at the intersections (providing the crosswalk through the median instead of at the end) to provide safe refuge for pedestrians?

Crosswalks are provided at the proposed location (at the end of the median) because of safety and traffic issues. If crosswalks were placed farther back in the median, it would increase the time for traffic to pass through an intersection, thereby lengthening the overall time for traffic to pass during a traffic signal cycle. Furthermore, pedestrians are placed at higher risk as they are out of view from turning vehicles. Extending the median places turning traffic at conflict with the median.

NEW! What measures are being taken to control traffic noise? Will the County provide sound proofing, not just aesthetic berm/landscaping?

The County did not perform noise analysis as part of the Project Development and Environment Study or as part of the design process. At this time, the County does not construct noise barriers. Vegetative buffers less than 100 feet deep have not been shown to provide substantial noise abatement.

NEW! Will the County consider changing the signal at the school to be located at the east, not the west entrance to control student drop-off/pick-up traffic rather than buses?

The internal traffic circulation at Deer Park Elementary School will be changing. The design for Citrus Park Drive incorporates these changes. In the future, most drivers (both buses and parents) will use the west entrance where there will be a signal and they will be separated within school property. Those coming from the east will have the option of using the east entrance.

NEW! What measures are being taken to control speeding in the community?

The potential for speeding is being addressed through the following measures. A maximum posted speed limit of 40 mph is proposed. Additionally, the alignment has several vertical and horizontal curves to encourage lower speeds. There will also be traffic signals at the Deer Park Elementary School, Fawn Ridge Boulevard; and a pedestrian signal at the water treatment facility driveway. A lower speed, along with flashing signal and posted school zone speeds, is posted in the vicinity of Deer Park Elementary School.

NEW! What is the County's plan to connect arterials to each other, and provide multiple parallel roads?

Extending Citrus Park Drive to Linebaugh Avenue is a part of the County's Long Range Transportation Plan, and may be studied in the future. Other arterial connections may be studied in the future. Please refer to the County and state Long Range Transportation Plan and Capital Improvement Program to view other transportation projects.

NEW! Will the County place a gate on Fawn Ridge Boulevard at Sheldon Road to prevent u-turns, since Key West Circle residents are the only ones that will use the road?

The County will not be installing a gate at this location. The residents of Key West Circle may pursue a gate at their own expense. Additionally, gates are subject to state and County regulations.

NEW! Can the land behind Fawn Ridge be fumigated to eliminate any pests prior to construction?

Before or during construction, the contractor will be required to follow a Stormwater Pollution and Prevention Plan, which incorporates measures for wildlife and pesticides.

NEW! Will the landscaping, berm and pond along Mandolin Estates be removed or replaced?

Landscaping and berms removed for construction will be replaced in-kind, to the extent possible, within the right-of-way. Additionally, trees meeting certain requirements will be replaced as part of tree mitigation measures. The area will also receive a new sidewalk.

Will trees be planted along the proposed roadway, and can a vegetative buffer be planted and established in advance of the road construction to give the plants/trees a head start so that they can better provide a buffer once the road becomes operational?

Hillsborough County has committed to providing landscaping at $100,000 per mile, which is double the amount commonly used on these types of projects. In addition, a berm with landscaping and a decorative fence will be placed near Fawn Ridge Village A (Breland Drive and Hannigan Court) as a buffer. The landscaping will be concentrated near residential areas, especially in those areas where no vegetation currently exists. Existing landscaping and trees impacted by the roadway will also be replaced in kind near the residential areas of the project. Landscaping will most likely be planted towards the latter phase of roadway construction because if it is planted early, it could be damaged during construction activities.

What are the anticipated impacts to wetlands and wildlife and their habitat, due to roadway construction?

A wetlands impact analysis has been conducted, and is detailed in the Wetlands Report.

Threatened and endangered species have been evaluated in the Threatened and Endangered Species Report. Although the potential for threatened and endangered species occurring in the project corridor exists, the project is not expected to adversely impact any threatened and endangered species. The recommended alignment has fewer impacts to wetlands and threatened and endangered species as compared to the other alignment alternatives considered.

What will happen to the borrow pond near the water treatment plant?

The recommended roadway alignment minimizes effects to the borrow ponds as compared

to the other alignments that were studied during the PD&E Study. A small portion of the south side of one borrow pond near the water treatment plant will require some in-fill to maintain slope stability on the roadway. No significant impacts to area wildlife are anticipated due to this activity.

How will the proposed roadway affect future development in the vicinity of the project? Will the new roadway encourage uncontrolled growth of new residential or commercial areas, especially in current green spaces?

Growth and development will continue to be controlled and conducted according to Hillsborough County planning and development standards and procedures, as well as state and federal standards. With the planned Northwest Recreational Corridor Plan in this area, no residential or commercial development is planned between Countryway Boulevard and Sheldon Road.

What is the anticipated effect of the proposed project on property values in the adjacent and nearby residential communities?

Property values are subject to the influences of multiple factors. Hillsborough County cannot predict or assess the future disposition of property values.

Will Citrus Park Drive be designated as an evacuation route?

Citrus Park Drive Extension does not meet the criteria to be a designated evacuation route.

Can the Citrus Park Drive Extension be built as a two-lane road, rather than the proposed four-lane road, in order to minimize construction cost and roadway noise?

Traffic modeling and evaluations detailed in the Design Traffic Report indicate that traffic demands in the area will surpass the capacity offered by a two-lane road before 2010. Because of this, the roadway is proposed as a four-lane typical section.

What makes the projection on the need for this road any better than the original projection that included Citrus Park Drive Extension in the 2025 plan?

The original traffic projection for the Citrus Park Drive Extension indicated the need for six lanes. The traffic study conducted as part of the PD&E Study for this proposed project indicated the need for a minimum of four lanes. Hillsborough County has concluded that a four-lane typical section for this roadway will be more compatible with the park surroundings and residential areas in the vicinity, and will be expected to meet the traffic needs of the proposed roadway.

How will Hillsborough County address an increase in crime rate, since the Citrus Park Drive Extension will improve access to nearby neighborhoods?

Hillsborough County cannot make any assertions concerning the potential increase or decrease in crime rates and has taken all the necessary steps to plan a safe public roadway.

Have roundabouts and overpasses been considered in the development of alternatives?

Hillsborough County has considered roundabouts and overpasses; however, it was determined that the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. They were determined to be infeasible due to the following reasons: Roundabouts will not provide the required levels of service nor will accommodate the projected traffic, and are not feasible for the proposed four-lane typical section. The right-of-way requirements for a roundabout would be more than double the right-of-way requirements for the recommended alignment, and would therefore have more environmental and wetland impacts, as well as a higher cost. Roundabouts for this project would likely cause excessive delays as drivers divert onto them, and are also likely to increase the number of accidents. Additional construction costs, not including additional right-of-way, additional illumination costs, and possible conflict with the planned multi-purpose (e.g., pedestrian, equestrian) crossing, are also disadvantages. Vehicular overpasses would require construction of interchanges which were determined to be infeasible due to numerous residential relocations, high costs, and extensive right-of-way requirements.

Will the Citrus Park Drive Extension be extended to Linebaugh Avenue?

Extending Citrus Park Drive Extension to Linebaugh Avenue is in fact a part of the County's Long Range Transportation Plan. It is shown as a four-lane roadway on the Metropolitan Planning Organization's 2025 Highway Needs Assessment. However, it is not on the Cost Affordable Plan, which means there is no funding for it at this time and the County has not listed this as a priority. It was originally included in developer plans for the area, but developer plans have changed. The extension of Citrus Park Drive to Linebaugh Avenue will have substantial wetland impacts, which will require costly mitigation efforts. As an unfunded need, the continuation of Citrus Park Drive to Linebaugh Avenue will be considered as part of future development in the area.

How will drivers safely enter and exit the residential areas on the west end of the project (i.e., Windsor Place, Mandolin Reserve and Mandolin Estates)? Will there be stop signs or traffic lights installed in order to improve safety and reduce accidents?

Traffic lights cannot be installed at the intersections of Minaret Drive/Windsor Place Circle or Blacksmith Drive due to federal, state and local intersection spacing and signal warrant standards. Also, stop signs cannot be installed on the Citrus Park Drive mainline roadway due to traffic standards. However, Hillsborough County will replace existing stop signs at the driveway connections at these locations, in order to facilitate drivers entering and exiting these communities. Additional analysis has been conducted during the design phase to ensure safe and efficient access into these residential developments.

What traffic-calming measures will be implemented along the entire Citrus Park Drive Extension, especially near the school and the Countryway Boulevard intersection?

Traffic signals already exist at the Countryway Boulevard and Sheldon Road intersections. Traffic signals at the Deer Park Elementary School and at Fawn Ridge Boulevard are also proposed. A pedestrian signal is proposed at the water treatment facility driveway. A maximum posted speed of 40 mph is proposed. The alignment also includes several horizontal and vertical curves to encourage lower operating speeds. A lower posted speed, a flashing signal and school zone speed limits have been implemented in the vicinity of the Deer Park Elementary School.

Can traffic signals be minimized on the Citrus Park Drive Extension?

At this time, the proposed improvements include new traffic signals at the Deer Park Elementary School and Fawn Ridge Boulevard. A traffic signal was recently placed at Countryway Boulevard. This signal and the existing traffic signal at Sheldon Road will remain. A pedestrian signal is proposed at the water treatment facility driveway.

What are the roadway improvements in the vicinity of the Deer Park Elementary School?

The following features have been constructed/ implemented in the vicinity of the Deer Park Elementary School: a lower posted speed limit, directional median openings, an exclusive left turn lane, a flashing signal, and school zone speed limits. A traffic signal is also proposed at the school.

Can access to the Northwest Recreational Corridor from Citrus Park Drive Extension be limited to use of right in/right out only or another limited access feature?

The types of access into the Northwest Recreational Corridor will be considered and implemented once the access point locations are determined.

What will happen to the Fawn Ridge community entrance, currently located at the intersection of Fawn Ridge Boulevard and Sheldon Road? Who will pay for the relocation of the entrance features?

Hillsborough County has received correspondence that the Fawn Ridge Maintenance Association has been aware of the proposed Citrus Park Drive Extension project, and that the Association has a contingency fund to relocate the Fawn Ridge community entrance features (sign, planters, lighting, etc.) to the north side of the Citrus Park Drive Extension on Fawn Ridge Boulevard when the project is finished.

Can the alignment be moved further south of the Fawn Ridge subdivision, in order to move away from the houses on Breland Drive and Hannigan Court?

Hillsborough County has evaluated the possibility of an optional alignment that is located further south of the homes on Breland Drive and Hannigan Court. At the October 17, 2006, public information meeting, a display featured two options, and listed the attributes and limitations of alignments located further south of the preferred alignment. These alignments were determined to be infeasible because they impact existing mitigation areas, negatively affect roadway geometry, and require substantial land acquisition for mitigation. Specifically, moving the alignment to the south would result in two offset T-intersections, lowering capacity (Level of Service, or LOS) and creating increased congestion, which would result in unacceptable crash potential.

An optional alignment that encroaches into the conservation easement at Fawn Ridge was considered based on public input. Conceptual permits were submitted to the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Both agencies have confirmed that this optional alignment is not able to be permitted. The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners has approved the recommended alignment with four commitments to alleviate some of the residents' concerns. See the information page for more details.

Will Hillsborough County consider building the extension along the road next to Outback Restaurant on Sheldon Road through to Westchase?

An alignment near the Outback Restaurant would create another major intersection and traffic signal on Sheldon Road, which would not meet intersection spacing requirements. This alignment would also require right-of-way acquisition, impact a wetland mitigation bank and cross the utility easement, all of which would be very costly.

Have improvements to other intersections and roadways in the area been considered instead of this proposed project?

Improvements at other intersections and roadways are included as part of Hillsborough County's regional transportation planning. Comments about improvements at specific locations will be reviewed by Hillsborough County. The traffic modeling for this project included the other planned projects in the roadway network.

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