With more rapid growth of homes and storefronts anticipated from Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills, Pasco County officials are starting discussions again on solutions to the major traffic issues on State Road 54/56. After a previous elevated toll road development plan fell through, the county is looking for public engagement and would like residents to play a larger role in the decision-making. Two task forces have been created, each expected to present five to six recommendations to the Pasco County Commission.

Joe Cimino, Vice President of WRA, has been appointed to the task force as a representative of the engineering and permitting component of site development along the State Road 54/56 corridor. Joe was selected by Pasco staff for his involvement in the design and permitting of multiple residential and commercial development projects along this corridor. He will be working with other community leaders on the US 41 to Bruce B. Downs -East segment. Other committee members include the MPO’s Citizens Advisory Committee, local chambers of commerce, community leaders, developers or their representatives and residents from west and east Pasco.

The kickoff meetings, open to the public, will be on Sept. 24 (East Task Force) and on Sept. 29 (West Task Force) at 5:45 p.m., at Rasmussen College at the Land O’ Lakes campus at 18600 Fernview Street.