PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Running east-west through Pasco County is the recently opened 4.2-mile section of the Ridge Road Extension.
It connects Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway. Its purpose is to reduce traffic congestion and serve as an additional hurricane route as the county counties to grow.
Built through wetlands, the concern of environmental impacts is part of the reason the extension encountered more than 20 years in delays.
Transportation leaders found a compromise saving some of the wetlands while allowing the road to serve as an additional evacuation route.
When we spoke with Pasco Commissioner Jack Mariano he said a lot of work went into saving the wetlands and having the road still serve as a safe route in case of emergency.
“We actually put 17 bridges going across this road to minimize wetlands impact. It also raises it up to make it better during a severe evacuation route,” he said. “When you consider all the people in Pasco County that need to get out, you've got to consider all the people down in Pinellas County that need to get out. And this is going to be a very vital way to get out, and be safe.”
For now, only one east and westbound lane are open. Northern access ramps and a paved pedestrian trail are set to open in the Fall.
Phase two will expand the Ridge Road extension from the Suncoast Pkwy to Sunlake Blvd and to US-Highway 41.
That’s expected to take a couple more years. A projected completion date is set for 2025.