BROOKSVILLE — A long-sought widening of County Line Road moved a step closer to reality May 26, when the Hernando County Commission committed $10 million toward the $65 million project alongside matching contributions from Pasco County and the Florida Department of Transportation.
The 5-0 vote approves a letter of understanding under which Hernando will pay $5 million by July 1, 2028, to help acquire right of way. Pasco County will pay $5 million, and FDOT will contribute $10 million, subject to legislative appropriation. For construction, Hernando and Pasco will each provide another $5 million on or before July 1, 2030, with FDOT again kicking in $10 million.
The project, currently in the design phase, would four-lane the road from U.S. 19 to U.S. 41, something drivers have wanted for years.
FDOT plans to secure a State Infrastructure Bank loan for the remaining construction money, subject to legislative appropriation. Each county will be responsible for half of the loan repayment, on terms to be determined before FDOT advertises the construction contract.
Public Works Director Scott Herring said the agreement followed extensive negotiations among the two counties and the state. Hernando’s share will come back to the commission for approval, he said, and the required funding for 2028 and 2030 has been entered into the fiscal year 2027 capital improvement plan.
“I’ve been working for this for eight years,” Commissioner John Allocco said before making the motion to approve. He suggested the county post signs along the road to let motorists know the long-awaited work is coming.
Commissioner Brian Hawkins said the project predates his time on the board. He credited Bob Esposito at the Metropolitan Planning Organization but said he wished it wouldn’t take four years to finish. Allocco and County Administrator Jeff Rogers also credited state Rep. Jeff Holcomb for bringing Pasco County into the deal.
Asked about maintenance of traffic signals along County Line Road, Herring said the counties have a handshake agreement, with each responsible for certain intersections. An interlocal agreement covering all roadway maintenance is in the works.
Barclay Avenue design contract
Commissioners voted 5-0 to award Ayres Associates a contract to design the stretch of Barclay Avenue from Powell Road to Lucky Lane.
Commissioner Ryan Amsler said the cost seemed high for design alone. Herring said the contract also covers right-of-way work and that the final project cost would be about $40 million.
Herring also addressed the traffic signals near Barclay Avenue and Spring Hill Drive, where a developer is waiting for the plat to be recorded. Until then, barriers will remain in place and the signals will not be activated.
The area — once wooded, between the Ariel Springs apartment complex and two storage businesses, north of Spring Hill Drive and west of the Suncoast Parkway — has been clear-cut for development. New turn lanes have been built and traffic signals installed, though the lights currently flash yellow.
Southbound drivers on Barclay Avenue lost a left-turn lane into the Publix shopping center and must now continue to Spring Hill Drive to turn left or make a U-turn to enter at one of two driveways. Some drivers have moved barriers at the new signalized left turn so they can turn from Minnie Drive onto Barclay Avenue, and Herring said recently that drivers have been cutting illegally across two grassy areas in the median.
In other action
The commission unanimously approved a resolution proclaiming May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Hernando County. The resolution encourages residents to take part in rider safety education and training and to use proper gear.
The meeting lasted a little more than two hours and 40 minutes. To the surprise of Chairman Jerry Campbell and other commissioners, no one spoke during public comment at the start of the meeting.
The commission’s next meeting is at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 2.