Study Description. November 29, Overpass Road Alternatives Public Workshop

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1 Overpass Road Alternatives Public Workshop November 29, 2012 Welcome to the Alternatives Public Workshop for proposed improvements to Overpass Road in Pasco County. Pasco County (the County), in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is conducting a Project Development & Environment (PD&E) study for proposed improvements to and extension of Overpass Road from Old Pasco Road to US 301 as shown on the study location map below. The alternatives being proposed are on display today and are discussed in this brochure. Study Description Overpass Road is currently a two-lane roadway that extends from Old Pasco Road to 0.86 miles east of Boyette Road. This roadway improvement project involves: the widening of the existing segment of Overpass Road (from Old Pasco Road to east of Boyette Road); the addition of an interchange at Overpass Road and I-75; and the extension of Overpass Road on new alignment from 0.86 miles east of Boyette Road to US 301. The widening and extension of the roadway are planned to be constructed, at a minimum, as a four-lane divided roadway with the potential to expand to six-lanes if needed. The proposed improvements to and extension of Overpass Road are identified in the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 2035 Cost Affordable Roadway Improvements during the 2015 to 2025 timeframe. The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with information and give you the opportunity to express your views regarding the alternatives that are being considered for the Overpass Road improvements. You may comment in one of the following ways: You can speak with a County or FDOT representative at this meeting; You can complete the comment form provided in this handout and drop it in the comment box; You can complete and mail your comments to the address listed on the enclosed comment form; or You can submit comments on the project website at All comments postmarked or ed by December 10, 2012 will be considered in the alternative selection process. Para preguntas e información en Español: Valoramos la opinión del público sobre este proyecto. Si usted tiene preguntas o comentarios o si simplemente desea mas información en Español, favor ponerse en contacto con el ingeniero a cargo de este proyecto, el señor Domingo Noriega at , or domingo.noriega@urs.com.

2 Alternatives Being Considered Three roadway alternatives, Alternative O-1, O-2, and O-3, are being considered for the proposed improvements to Overpass Road. The three roadway alternatives are described below. In addition, five alternatives are being considered for the proposed interchange at Overpass Road and I-75. The five interchange alternatives are described on the enclosed sheet. All of these alternatives are on display this evening and will be displayed on the project website at following this workshop. Also enclosed and on display are the alternatives evaluation matrices showing a comparison of the alternatives based on various engineering and environmental factors. The proposed ponds shown on the alternatives concepts below were located based on the basin limits and topography in each drainage area, the outfall locations, avoidance of wetland and floodplain locations, and to minimize parcel and right-of-way acquisition. Page 2 Alternative O-1: This alternative follows the existing Overpass Road from Boyette Road to 0.86 miles east of Boyette Road along the north side of Palm Cove subdivision. From there, Alternative O-1 turns southeastward to Curley Road then continues south and east and follows the newly constructed portion of Overpass Road through the Watergrass Development and adjacent to WindChase subdivision and Watergrass Elementary School. From there, the new alignment heads in a southeasterly direction to Handcart Road. After crossing Handcart Road, this alternative turns northward to Fairview Heights Road, parallels Fairview Heights for a short distance, then curves slightly south and then back north and east to intersect with Fort King Road west of Kossick Road Extension. From that point, Alternative O-1 heads east and follows Kossik Road to US 301. Alternative O-2: This alternative follows approximately the same alignment as Alternative O-1, except that Alternative O-2 heads directly east from WindChase subdivision and Watergrass Elementary School to cross Handcart Road approximately 760 feet north of Alternative O-1. East of Handcart Road, Alternative O-2 curves northeast to Fairview Heights Road and then turns east and follows the same alignment as Alternative O-1 to US 301. Alternative O-3: This alternative follows the same alignment as Alternatives O-1 and O-2 from Boyette Road to east of Palm Cove subdivision. From east of Palm Cove, Alternative O-3 curves north and then back south to follow the newly constructed portion of Overpass Road through the Watergrass Development and adjacent to WindChase subdivision and Watergrass Elementary School. East of WindChase, this alternative follows Alternative O-2 for a short distance, then turns northeasterly to cross Handcart Road approximately 2,000 feet north of Alternative O-2 just north of Fairview Heights Road. Alternative O-3 parallels Fairview Heights Road to Cullen Smith Road. East of Cullen Smith Road, all three alternatives meet and then follow the same alignment east to US 301. Draft Subject to change. These are conceptual-level graphics created for planning and discussion purposes only. They are not intended for use in design or construction. 11/29/12

3 1. Diamond Interchange 4. Loop Ramp Interchange Alternatives at Overpass Road & I-75 Five interchange alternatives are being considered for the proposed Overpass Road improvements. Any one of the interchange alternatives can be used in combination with any of the three roadway alternatives, O-1, O-2 or O Diverging Diamond Interchange Page 3 3. Flyover Ramp 5. Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI) Draft Subject to change. These are conceptual-level graphics created for planning and discussion purposes only. They are not intended for use in design or construction. 11/29/12

4 No-Build Alternative The No-Build alternative will remain a viable alternative throughout the PD&E process. The No-Build alternative means leaving the existing roadway as it is, not building an interchange at I-75, and doing routine road maintenance as required. Alternatives Evaluation The evaluation matrices shown on this page were developed to compare the various roadway and interchange alternatives being considered for the Overpass Road improvements. One matrix compares the three (3) roadway alternatives from Boyette Road to US 301, and the second matrix compares the five (5) interchange alternatives at I-75 in the vicinity of Old Pasco Road to Boyette Road. The alternatives are compared using different environmental, physical, and cost factors, such as wetlands, cultural resources, contamination sites, and costs. Interchange Alternatives Evaluation Matrix Overpass Road PD&E Study Page 4 Roadway Alternatives Evaluation Matrix Overpass Road PD&E Study Notes: * Floodplain impacts based on currently effective FEMA FIRM maps ** Engineering estimates are in present day costs *** 10% of construction cost I-75 at Overpass Road Interchange FDOT Procedure , New or Modified Interchanges defines the processes and requirements for an Interchange Access Request to be considered by FDOT. The purpose of an Interchange Access Request is to demonstrate that the project is needed and is viable based on traffic, engineering, financial and other criteria. An Interchange Justification Report (IJR) must be prepared if the proposed action is intended to provide a new interchange to a limited access facility, like I-75. Notes: * Floodplain impacts based on currently effective FEMA FIRM maps ** Engineering estimates are in present day costs *** 10% of construction cost Draft Subject to change. This is conceptual-level information created for planning and discussion purposes only. 11/29/12 Pasco County proposes to construct a new interchange on I-75 at Overpass Road, located between existing interchanges at I-75 and CR 54, and at I-75 and SR 52. A Preliminary Interchange Justification Report (PIJR) has been initiated by Pasco County in coordination with the FHWA, the FDOT Office of Systems Planning (i.e., the Central Office), and the FDOT District Seven Interchange Review Coordinator. The purpose of the PIJR is to study and document the potential benefits and impacts of the proposed new interchange and to provide sufficient information to determine the justification of the interchange in accordance with Federal requirements. The PIJR will also document traffic operations in the study area for existing conditions and future conditions under the Build and No-Build scenarios. Currently, Overpass Road exists as an overpass at I-75 and, as such, has no access to the interstate system. The I-75 at Overpass Road PIJR is currently in the DRAFT report stage. It will be available for viewing on the project website upon acceptance for engineering and operations from FDOT and FHWA. Please visit the Overpass Road project website at

5 Contact Information We invite your comments on this important project. You may provide comments on the project website at or for more project information or questions you may contact: Kevin Sumner, Project Manager Pasco County Engineering Services/Project Management 5418 Sunset Road New Port Richey, FL Phone: What Happens Next? Below is a tentative project schedule showing the project s major milestones. This schedule may change throughout the duration of the project. Following the alternatives workshop, and based on public comment and engineering and environmental analyses, the County will select a preferred Project Background In 2005, Pasco County conducted the Overpass Road Route Study to evaluate capacity and safety improvement alternatives from Old Pasco Road to Fort King Road in Zephyrhills. Pasco County also conducted an interchange feasibility study in 2007 for the I-75/Overpass Road interchange; and an Interchange Justification Report (IJR) is currently underway for I-75 at Overpass Road. This PD&E study will evaluate and refine the proposed alternatives as identified in the Overpass Road Route Study, and evaluate a proposed extension from Fort King Road to US 301. The purpose of the project is to improve the flow of people and goods through the project area by increasing roadway capacity and reducing traffic congestion. The PD&E study will compare the effects the alternatives may have on the environment and the surrounding communities, as well as the traveling public. alternative. After additional detailed engineering and environmental analysis is completed, the preferred alternative will be presented at a public hearing tentatively scheduled for Fall of We encourage you to contact us at any time during the study to ask questions or make comments. You may also visit our project website at which will be updated throughout the study. The design, right-of-way acquisition and construction phases of the project will be programmed in the Pasco County Transportation Capital Plan beginning in FY15/16 thru FY21/22. Tentative Project Schedule for PD&E Study PD&E Study Begins February 2012 Data Collection & Alternatives Analysis Summer / Fall 2012 Alternatives Public Workshop November 29, 2012 Select Preferred Alternative(s) Fall / Winter 2012/2013 Public Hearing Fall 2013 Anticipated FHWA Approval Spring 2014 Non-Discrimination Laws: Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or persons who require translation service (free of charge) should contact Kevin Sumner, Project Manager, at (727)