PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County is considering two big road projects to ease traffic congestion in the growing central part of the county.
The projects are the Rangeland Boulevard Extension and the Bud Bexley Parkway Extension.
The Rangeland project would extend the road over the Suncoast Parkway to the roundabout at Bexley Parkway and Bexley Village Drive.
Officials are also considering adding an interchange at the Suncoast.
The Bexley Parkway project would extend the road out from the Bexley community to US 41.
Both projects would add a needed east-west alternative to State Road 54, which has seen traffic increase with more development.
But some residents are worried about how the projects could change their neighborhoods, especially in Bexley.
When Paige Nardi and her family relocated from Chicago to Florida in 2020, they picked the Bexley community in Land O’ Lakes.
“We just loved the feel of Bexley. Though it is a big community, it does have a small feel. So we felt right at home here,” Nardi said.
Located off of SR-54 near the Suncoast Parkway, Bexley is also an ideal location for many.
And generally, Nardi says it doesn’t have the same busy traffic you see on the surrounding roads.
“You just have your normal traffic that’s going in and out. It’s just a quiet little community,” Nardi said.
She is worried that could change with the proposed projects, adding a lot more traffic to the quiet roads.
“Into a sleepy community. Smack dab in the middle of a community. In front of people’s homes,” Nardi said.
She is also worried about the impact the projects could have on the environment.
“Where is the wildlife going to go? They’re already being pushed out with the other development in Pasco County. This is one area that they do still have left,” Nardi said.
Pasco County is considering these projects because of recent growth in that area, with new housing, apartments and businesses, especially along SR-54.
The projects are in their early phases.
County officials say construction for the Rangeland Boulevard project is currently funded for 2029. There will be a second public workshop on May 1st.
The Bexley Parkway extension is currently funded only for its route study phase with no estimated construction start at this time, according to Pasco officials.
Residents can also submit comments on both projects.
As planning continues, Nardi feels the county has allowed too much growth for the roads to handle and hopes they consider other options.
“There are other solutions they could think about. Their lack of planning should not be my problem, to take the safety and aesthetics from my community,” Nardi said.
For more information on both projects, visit here.
