Anyone who lives, works and travels to the northernmost swath of Pinellas County, particularly near the East Lake and Trinity area, knows that a timely arrival is contingent on traffic.
A preliminary engineering study conducted by Pinellas County found needed capacity, operational efficiency and transportation safety improvements along the corridor. That prompted Sen. Ed Hooper, the upper chamber’s budget chief, to request $15 million for Phase I of capacity improvements between Curlew Road and Tarpon Woods Boulevard, as well as intersection improvements and bridge widening.
The Senate, according to budget spreadsheets released Friday, has so far included half that in its proposed budget. The House proposed budget, released Thursday, does not include funding for the project, despite a request from Rep. Adam Anderson for $15 million.
East Lake Road is the main thoroughfare connecting Palm Harbor and Oldsmar to communities to the north, such as Trinity. Because of Lake Tarpon separating it from U.S. Highway 19, there are limited travel options for those living in the many housing subdivisions along East Lake Road, or attending or working at East Lake Middle or High School.
The project is expected to “significantly improve the traffic level of service during peak periods and reduce the number and severity of crashes,” according to Hooper’s funding request.
The $15 million requested represents a state match, with local government expected to foot $15 million. The county is already funding design and engineering for the improvements, according to Hooper. The state funding would fund construction services, which aren’t expected to begin until late 2028.
While the House has not included funding in its preliminary proposed budget, the two chambers will next begin budget conferences meant to reconcile the proposals, before sending a final budget to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who then has line-item veto authority.
That means the chambers could still come together on the funding request and a final amount, if any, won’t be known until the chambers complete that work. Funding could also find its way into supplemental funding, colloquially known as “sprinkles.”
