FDOT Project to Widen Suncoast Highway

  • Champion: Nebrich
  • Status: Planning
  • Entity: CWCDD, CWCA
  • Description:
    • Reference FDOT plan to widen Suncoast Parkway, including the section bisecting District. Identify concerns. Identify District needs. Develop communications strategy between District, its residents and FDOT. Goal to preserve quality of life. Minimize/reduce noise pollution. Improve aesthetics.
  • Updates:
    • Initial contacts made with a SME to discuss potential impacts to CWCDD. Further meetings and Board discussion required.  CWCDD Engineer communicated curated concerns to FDOT project manager.  The Cheval West Express Newsletter captures many of these concerns. This effort will continue.
    • Chair Nebrich attended FDOT public information meeting in June 2024

More Information

The Florida Turnpike Enterprise has begun its preliminary design and engineering study for the widening of the Suncoast Parkway, from Van Dyke Road in Hillsborough County north to State Road 52, in Pasco County.

This project will have a significant impact on our community as the parkway runs through Cheval.

The District has opened a dialogue with with FDOT to discuss various concerns and to ask questions about the project.

Please see the below section for further information. Also, please contact the Board or attend a meeting to express input about this important issue.

The Board continues to aggregate questions and concerns in its effort to better understand the scope and impact of this project on Cheval West, including:

  • Type of Widening: Is the widening planned to be interior, exterior, or a combination of both? If exterior, will FDOT require additional land beyond its current footprint? 
  • Road Realignment: Will there be any realignment of the road, and if so, in what sections? Any changes to existing interchanges?  
  • Water Runoff Management: What are the plans for managing additional water runoff from the widened road? Will this increased runoff necessitate the use of existing CDD water management infrastructure? 
  • Construction Equipment Access: What types of equipment will require access to CDD roads, and how will this be managed? Cranes, trucks, Earth moving equipment, etc.  
  • Staging Areas: Are there any plans to use District property for staging areas during construction? Construction equipment, vehicles, material, and products.  
  • Noise Mitigation: What measures are planned for sound mitigation and attenuation to address the expected increase in traffic noise? 

Depending on the answers to these questions, several possible concerns arise for the community and the District:

  • Noise Impact: Effective noise mitigation and attenuation strategies at both the project site and home parcel site is critical, especially for homes in the Maisons, Le Dauphine, Chamile, TPC, and Terrain de Golf areas. (Impacted corridors).  
  • Road and Infrastructure Maintenance: We need to ensure the renewal of roads and underlayment in areas stressed or damaged by heavy construction equipment.  Requires budget and resources. 
  • Stormwater Management: The expansion of stormwater management infrastructure to handle the increased runoff from the widened road is critical.  Requires budget and resources  
  • Landscape and appearance:  Beautification of adjacent landscaping, including area under the two overpasses and sections running parallel to the highway from Ramblewood to Lutz Lake Fern (Cheval corridor)

 

Community support and engagement about this project is critical for the Board to understand your concerns and to navigate the many potential issues facing Cheval West. Please contact the Board if you would like more information or would like to share your opinions.