Pasco County approves $23 million loan to extend SR 56

On Tuesday Pasco County Commisioners voted to approve a loan for almost $23,000,000 dollars for the extension of State Road 56. The new project will extend State Road 56 out west starting at its current end at Meadow Pointe Blvd and extending it all the way to US Highway 301 in Zephyrhills.

“It’s going to be a four-lane highway,” Commissioner Mike Moore said. “What that’s going to do is open up some extraordinary economic development opportunities.”

The county and the City of Zephyrhills will only have to pay back 3 percent of the loan, while 97 percent will be paid by developers and land owners.

Construction is expected to begin this fall. The project is slated to be finished in 2019. The total cost is more than $65 million.

There will be considerable savings by building all four lanes as one continuous project. Thiswill avoid two rounds of design and permit costs, two mobilization efforts, and avoid future roadconstruction costs. Other benefits include:

1.  Accelerates development action in the Gateway Crossings Market Area

2.  City of Zephyrhills achieves better I-75 Connection and Industrial/Rail enhancement

3.  Improves access to Zephyrhills Airport and airport tenants

4.  Alleviates traffic on S.R. 54 through improved access to I-75 and southeast Pasco

5.  Improves roadway safety for commuting public and freight operations

Funding for the project is being provided by the following entities: The Florida Department ofTransportation, Pasco County, City of Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel Lakes, Wyndfields, RiverLanding, and Two Rivers Ranch.