HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Two roads that connect Pinellas and Hillsborough counties — Linebaugh Avenue and Forest Lakes Boulevard — are getting busier and frustrating some drivers.

What You Need To Know

  • Drivers are frustrated by the intersection of Linebaugh Avenue and Forest Lakes Boulevard near Oldsmar

  • Pinellas County widened Forest Lakes from two lanes to four lanes while Linebaugh Ave. in Hillsborough remains two lanes

  • Hillsborough County has an improvement project planned for spring 2024

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Pinellas County manages Forest Lakes Boulevard, while Hillsborough County manages Linebaugh Avenue. The two east-west roads meet at Race Track Road near Oldsmar.

Pinellas widened Forest Lakes from two lanes to four lanes last year. However, Linebaugh Avenue remains two lanes.

Drivers say that can create a choke point during rush hour.

Oldsmar resident Kenny Keeven says it’s especially an issue for drivers going westbound on Linebaugh, where there’s only one thru lane in between the turn lanes to Race Track Road.

As a result, traffic backs up can cut off drivers trying to turn left onto Race Track Road.

“It causes a problem because people can’t turn left onto Race Track Road. So they drive over the curb to get into the two turn lanes,” Keeven said in an interview.

Keeven suggested turning some striped lines at the intersection into a thru lane to potentially help the issue.

“This would be so simple to fix. No road development. Just getting rid of some lines,” Keeven said.

Officials with Hillsborough County Public Works say that while there are currently no plans to widen Linebaugh Avenue, there is a project planned to improve the intersection that includes milling and resurfacing.

The project should also improve the striping and adjust the signals for new lane configuration. It’s expected to begin after March 2024.