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The existing roadway is a two-lane undivided section. No traffic signals currently exist within the project corridor. The posted speed limit is 50 mph from 1-75 through the project corridor. SR 52 provides east-west mobility for many land uses along the corridor and provides a connection from the communities of San Antonio, St. Leo and Dade City to and from lnterstate-75.

The project will result in the widening of SR 52 from east of the lnterstate-75 ramps to east of Emmaus Cemetery Road from a two-lane roadway to a six-lane divided roadway, a distance of approximately 1.9 miles. As an interim improvement, a four-lane divided section is proposed to accommodate traffic until the six-lane facility is warranted. The western limits will match the proposed improvement project for SR 93 (1-75), from South of SR 56 to North of SR 52, WPI segment number 2587361, Federal-Aid Project Number NH-75-1 (91) 275. The eastern segment will align with the proposed Clinton Avenue Extension, Pasco Work Order Number C 3216.40.

Study Purpose and Need

This Preliminary Engineering Report was prepared as part of a State Environmental Impact Study prepared for the Pasco County Engineering Services Department in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for the purpose of evaluating and documenting the proposed improvements to SR 52.

The need for the widening project was determined by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. The future need for additional improvements to widen to six lanes is identified in the Pasco County MPO’s Needs Assessment Plan and in the Draft SR 52 Action Plan prepared for the Florida Department of Transportation, dated August 15, 2003.

Further, a traffic study was conducted to determine the need for improvements in order to provide an acceptable level of service on the road. The results of the traffic study identified that a six-lane divided facility would be needed prior to the 2030 design year. As an interim improvement, a four-lane divided section is proposed to accommodate traffic until the six-lane divided facility is warranted.

Proposed Improvements

This Preliminary Engineering Report has been prepared for the Pasco County Engineering Services Department in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as part of the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study for the proposed widening of State Road 52 (SR 52) from a two-Jane rural section to a six-lane divided urban section. As an interim improvement, a four-lane divided section is proposed to accommodate traffic until the six-lane facility is warranted. The project begins east of the Interstate 75 (1-75) interchange ramps and extends approximately 1.9 miles to the east.

A traffic study was conducted to determine the necessary improvements for an acceptable level of service on the road. The results of the traffic study identified that a six-lane divided facility would be needed prior to the 2030 design year. As an interim improvement, a four-lane divided section is proposed to accommodate traffic until the six-lane facility is warranted.

Typical sections were developed to provide the needed roadway geometry within the project limits. For the four-lane interim project, a suburban section is proposed. It consists of a 22-foot raised median, two 12-foot travel lanes, a 1 0-foot shoulder (5-foot paved, 5-foot unpaved) and a 5-foot sidewalk in each direction. The section utilizes roadside swales and drainage pipes to convey stormwater. For the future six-lane improvements, an urban curb and gutter section is proposed. The sidewalk and raised median remain, the number of lanes are expanded to three 12-foot travel lanes, and a 4-foot bike lane is added in each direction. The urban section includes Type F curb and gutter on the outside for stormwater conveyance. For both typical sections, the total right-of-way width will vary from 160 to 185 feet.

Three alignments were considered, widening to the North, to the South, and from the Existing Centerline. The Southern alignment provides the best alternative for the following reasons:

• Does not require any residential, commercial, or church relocations
• Minimizes impacts on existing developed properties on the North
• Matches the alignment for the proposed 1-75 Interchange Improvements and for the future Clinton Avenue Extension
• Is the most cost effective option

As a result of the public hearing, environmental studies and interagency coordination, the southern alignment has been selected as the recommended alternative for the proposed widening of State Road 52 (SR 52) from a two-lane rural section to an interim four-lane suburban section and ultimate six-lane divided urban section.