STUDIES SIGNAL FUTURE PLANT CITY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Hillsborough County forecasts a heavy increase in traffic on McIntosh and Branch Forbes Roads, and is conducting what is known as a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study to determine viability of the projects. For both roads, the plans are to reconfigure the undivided two-lanes to four divided lanes. The sections under examination are one-mile stretches that reach from south of U.S. 92 to north of (I-4). Construction work would also improve the I-4 on- and off-ramps. The studies are conducted to meet state, federal, and local procedures and regulations.
As a part of the PD&E study, the state attempts to get the public engaged, and so, requested resident comments on road designs, benefits, and potential problems with the plans. FDOT held a public hearing on the projects on November 14 so the public could ask questions, and offer comments and concerns about the proposed projects to help determine if there are better alternatives.
Branch Forbes and McIntosh connect to Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System and are hurricane evacuation routes. Between 2015 and 2019 there were 180 wrecks on this stretch of McIntosh Road and 183 wrecks on Branch Forbes—most of these were rear-end crashes. The 2045 projected number of vehicles daily using this McIntosh stretch of road is 16,500 to 34,500. The projected vehicle flow for Branch Forbes is 13,500 to 41,000. In light of the current roadway infrastructure, both sections of road would flunk level of service capacity. Also, they do not have complete stretches of sidewalk or bicycle lanes, so, plans are to add both as a part of each project. All of this will require right-of-way acquisition at several points.
McIntosh would end up with five traffic lights, and Branch Forbes would have three.
Environmental effects the PD&E study took into account are, first, natural resources including wetlands, surface waters, and protected species habitats. In terms of natural resources, McIntosh Road would impact about four acres of wetland and waterways. However, there would be no adverse effects on the listed species (12 federal and 20 state) near the site. For Branch Forbes, less than an acre is in question, and, again, no adverse effects were predicted on listed species (10 federal and 12 state).
Second, cultural, historical, and archaeological resources were analyzed. Along the McIntosh Road section are 13 historical locations. Along Branch Forbes are 14 historical locations and one archeological site. None are eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. No effects are anticipated on these sites for either of these road projects.
Third, the PD&E analyzes social factors like mobility, economic profiles, and potential for resident relocations. Additional storm water retention and floodplain compensation sites would be needed—40 acres for McIntosh Road, and six acres for Branch Forbes. Therefore, three houses along McIntosh would need to be relocated, and 2 businesses. For Branch Forbes, six houses and five businesses would need to move out.
Fourth, the study projects future traffic noise, contamination, and air quality. Traffic noise would be higher at nine-noise sensitive sites. On Branch Forbes, traffic noise would rise at five noise-sensitive sites.
In terms of contamination at McIntosh Road, the study found eight low risk, and six medium risk sites. For Branch Forbes the study determined there are eight low-risk, five medium-risk, and one high-risk point. The contamination at these locations are not expected to adversely affect the project.
Based on these factors, the cost for the McIntosh project is estimated at $112.8 million. For Branch Forbes the estimate is $65.1 million. The projects are currently in the design phase, but land acquisition and construction for the projects is not currently funded for either road.
As requested by the PD&E study, residents of the affected land submitted comments, but less than 10 people spoke out. Examples that reflect consistent concerns are:
For Branch Forbes:
“Your design has taken away the ability for us to turn left out of our subdivision,” Lindsey Hanson responded. “We are also a dead-end road, so now the only way to leave to get to I-4 will be to turn right, then U-turn. There is also concern for emergency vehicles to be able to access our road because they will need to U-turn if coming from 92. We would like a way to turn left to get into the street without u-turning.”
For McIntosh:
“I see a median in front of my house, is this a concrete median that will prevent me from turning left in front of my house? asked Samantha Quintal. “I am worried about safety regarding the road being even closer to my house, depending on how wide it will be.”
There are still “no build/do nothing” options for both the McIntosh Road and Branch Forbes Road projects. For more information contact http://www.dot.state.fl.us.
