PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Transportation is looking to make widespread improvements to U.S. 19 in Pinellas County, specifically from 66th Avenue N. to SR 690/118th Avenue N.
This proposed project will help with projected future traffic volumes, including a large number of commuters traveling in that area, according to FDOT. The goal is to improve traffic flow and safety.
Short-Term Improvements Include:
- Widening US 19 from south of 70th Avenue to 80th Avenue to accommodate additional turn lanes and bicycle lanes.
- Upgrading the Gandy/Park Boulevard interchange to include dual left turn lanes on each roadway and ramp approach and dual right turn lanes on the westbound ramp approach.
- Construction of auxiliary lanes along US 19 and Park Boulevard, and replacement of the bridge over US 19 would be included in a future project.
Some of the long-term improvement plans include widening the the existing 6-lane roadway from 66th Avenue North to Gandy Blvd. It would include one new auxiliary lane in each direction, 7-foot buffered bicycle lanes, and 6-foot sidewalks. All lanes will be 11 feet wide, according to FDOT.
In terms of a timeline, FDOT is looking to create the design of this project in 2019/2020 for the short-term improvements and fix the right of way in 2023. However, these construction plans are not funded yet.
