The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Seven, in cooperation with Pasco County, conducted a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study at the intersection of CR 52/Meridian Avenue/21st Street/Suwanee Way/St. Joe Road in Pasco County to reduce traffic congestion along with improving safety and improving system linkage for the project area. This project spanned CR 52, extending from north of Church Avenue to east of 17th Street. The project limits are shown on the project location map.
CR 52 is a 2-lane urban principal arterial roadway. It is also part of the National Highway System with a design speed of 40 miles per hour (mph) and proposed posted speed of 35 mph.
Purpose and Need
The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate various alternatives for the CR 52/Meridian Avenue/21st Street/Suwanee Way/St. Joe Road intersection. The study compared the effects each alternative may have on the environment and the surrounding communities, as well as the traveling public. Replacing the existing T-Intersection with a four-leg intersection was be evaluated.
The objective of the project was to provide the environmental and engineering analyses and documentation for the FDOT to reach a decision on the type, conceptual design, and location of the potential improvements. The “No-Build” or “No Action” alternative remained a viable option throughout the PD&E Study.