How a commission like this can NOT take future development into consideration in making this recommendation is beyond me. When asked if it was at the Brandon meeting, it was stated that it, indeed, was not. Essentially, the commission is being directed to be shortsighted. However, it doesn't even take the inclusion of that develpment to realize what a gross error the recommendation is of removing the weight restrictions from Lithia-Pinecrest Rd., removing the portion of that road from Bloomingdale to SR 60, and the addition of FishHawk Blvd. I would think that the following list (all on the intended routes and this doesn't even include all of the facilities that exist) would suffice: Pinecrest Elementary (L-P Rd. and CR 39) Kids R Kids Pre-school(Lynx Paw and L-P Rd.) Brandon Montessouri (Lynx Paw and L-P Rd.) Lithia Springs Elementary (LynxPaw &L-P Rd.) Foundation Christian Academy (L-P Rd.) Newsome High School (FishHawk Blvd.) Randall Middle School (FishHawk Blvd.) Llamas & Learning Pre-School (Boyette Rd.) Tampa Bay Academy (Boyette Rd.) and countless churches, new shopping centers, and residential subdivisions. Not to mention the County Sports Complex due for FishHawk Blvd. Please, consider the safety and well-being of the thousands of children over the cost efficiency of a few corporations, and use some vision and forethought in making the right decision the first time.

I live in Countryway am OPPOSED to making any part of Countryway Blvd and Linebaugh a truck route. Countryway Blvd is residential road that already is overloaded with traffic. Please do not add truck traffic to an already heavily burdened thoroughfare.

Please REMOVE BOYETTE ROAD from Hwy 301 to Bell Shoals from the truck route. Even after the widening is complete it will simply still be too busy for trucks. There is way too much residential traffic occuring along Boyette and trucks will only threaten the safety of people driving, biking, or walking along/across the road.

I ask that you remove Lithia-Pinecrest from your Truck Route Plan. This only benefits phosphate companies and puts our safety and quality of life at risk.

I live in Countryway and am opposed to making Countryway Blvd., between Hillsborough and Linebaugh, a truck route. Children ride bikes and play perilously close to the proposed truck route along Countryway Blvd. Common sense would dictate Race Track Rd., which does not run through a single subdivision (let alone two), would be a much more suitable truck route.

I am APPOSED to adding Forbes Road between US 92 and SR 579, to the truck route. The existing roadway section you are proposing to add to the system has 11 foot lanes and is not safe for truck traffic. There are no paved shoulders on the section and the existing drainage ditches are very close to the roadway. If this section is added to the system, at the very least, the road should be brought up to current standards, which would include 12 foot lanes with 5 foot paved shoulders. The intersections of at each end of the Forbes Road "US 92 and SR 579" can not accomodate the turning movements of large trucks. Currently when they make illegal turns they encroach into the opposing traffic lanes. Both intersections will need to be improved and the signals replaced.

Please do not allow any part of Countryway Blvd to be added to the truck route. This is a highly residential area with too many children. The traffic volume is already dangerous enough without adding more trucks.

I attended the Truck Route Public Hearing at the Brandon Recreation Center on October 6, 2004. I listened as the County Staff presented the various needs for truck routes, especially to give trucks access by which to deliver goods and services within the various communities. They also pointed out that any truck can go down any road in order to get to it's destination and that the new truck route ordinance would require them to use the shortest route from the designated truck route. The argument is strong in that there must be some control on trucks entering communities, preferably via major (4 lane) roads until they get close to their destination at which time they must travel smaller roads. Most of the destination points (grocery stores, gas stations, malls, etc. are located either on or fairly close to these major roadways anyway. They also mentioned the difficulty in enforcement of these truck routes, especially with respect to weight limits. The County Staff did not listen to the audience as they confused apples and oranges. The residents did not complain about the truck routes (specifically, Bloomingdale Avenue, Lithia Pinecrest, or Boyette/Fish Hawk) being used by trucks to deliver goods and services to the various businesses which support the community. They all understand and accept the need for these trucks and the routes they need to deliver these essential servies and goods. What the residents did object to (and which was apparently not grasped, or more likely was ignored) by County Staff was the "through" trucks (specifically, those carrying items that were not being delivered to destinations within the community. The sulfur trucks, full or empty and the gravel/rock trucks full or empty, or in generall any large trucks capable of carrying items to or from the Ports of Tampa and areas east of Brandon/Valrico/Riverview traveling on these community based roads. The residents want "through" trucks routed through non-community areas (in this case 672 and 674) and not on the three roads mentioned above. From a county taxpayer perspective the "through" trucks should be restricted to state roads as much as possible for economic reasons alone (let the state pay for the maintenance of the roads which get traveled by and damaged by these extremely heavy vehicles. The enforcement of restricting the "through" trucks would be rather simple since local law enforcement would know from the type of vehicle if they have valid desitinations within the local communities. The simple solution is to have "Distribution" trucks routes for large trucks to travel on in order to get near their destination within communities. And "Through" truck routes for trucks to get from point A to point B without going through residential communities. The Brandon/Valrico/Riverview Communities will not accept the travel of trucks through their neighborhoods who do not have a legitimate destination within the community.

Please note our opposition to the truck route extension which includes Countryway, Linebaugh and Race Track Roads.

Dear County Commissioners, I oppose your plan to allow the following to become "designated truck routes:" Linebaugh Avenue in its entirety from Sheldon Road west to Racetrack Road, and the area north on Countrway Blvd from Linebaugh Avenue to Race Track Road. As a resident of Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect my densely residential neighborhood. The only exception should be to allow trucks who make local deliveries to the businesses on Linebaugh, Montague and Countryway. Additionally, I believe that with the daily congestion on Race Track Road due to residential and commercial developments, as well as the high pedestrian traffic because of the race track itself, it would be a mistake to grant increased usage of this road for commercial vehicles as it is widened. Both Hillsborough Ave and Sheldon Rd have been appropriately widened and lighted to serve commercial industries and their delivery path needs. Thank you for your consideration. Ira Mandel

Betsy -- this is '' just a test '' . Please ignore.

To whom it may concern: I stongly urge you to consider removing Lithia Pinecrest and thereby, Bloomingdale Avenue from the proposed truck route plan. It is the use of these roads by the phosphate trucks that causes great concern for the residents. Bloomingdale Avcnue with all of its signalized intersections, innumberable curb cuts, residential neighborhoods, schools, parks and recreation facilities is not a practical nor safe avenue for these trucks. According to our Comprehensive Plan, "planning is forethought in action," if this is true, then you should realize that promoting truck traffic on a road like Bloomingdale is a recipe for disaster and a huge liability for the county. Several segments of this roadway already fail during peak hours and with the continued development will only get worse. In one year (2002 vs. 2003) the number of traffic accidents at the intersection of Bloomingdale Avenue and Lithia Pinecrest increased 97.2 percent! To knowingly increase the potential for additional problems is, at the very least, irresponsible. The County's responsibility and accountability is to its citzens not the special interests. Please reconsider the proposed truck routes and keep the heavily conjested Bloomingdale Avenue and Lithia-Pinecrest off the route. I would ask that you send confirmation that you received this e-mai. Thank you. Jeannette Figari

Please remove Lithia Pinecrest from the truck route. I drive on Bloomingdale to work every day and find this an extremely busy and dangerous drive, because of the amount of traffic and also the use of this roadway by large trucks. Eliminating trucks along this route would make this a safer route. I understand alternative routes for these trucks are available that wouldn't traverse such heavily congested residential areas. Thank you for your consideration. -Carl Gedmin

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Your own truck route study (as shown on your web site) rated it very low for truck traffic. We don ' t understand how you can turn right around and recommend that it be part of truck route plan. Even though there have only been a few accidents dealing with large trucks, why wait for a catastrophic accident between a truck and a school bus before you do anything about it? How many times do the residents of this County have to tell you that it ' s a bad idea to have LP as a truck route? We ' ve now stated it several times...at public meetings and in BOCC meetings. We are adamantly against LP as a truck route; it makes absolutely no sense...how can you call yourselves planners when you make recommendations like this?

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. As stated in the newspaper, keeping Lithia Pinecrest Road on the truck route benefits phosphate companies at the expense of our safety and quality of life. Lithia Pinecrest is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. I understand that SR672, even though a little longer route for trucks, takes only a few more minutes of driving time for the truckers. Additionally, your truck route study rated SR672 as an excellent truck route while you rated Lithia Pinecrest in the bottom 20 percent of all the routes you rated. Again, I ask, please remove Lithia Pinecrest from the truck route plan for the safety of our families and quality of life. Thank you for your hard work.

I drive Lithia Pinecrest Road every day. Please take it off the truck route for the safety of our families and quality of life. I understand that SR672, even though a little longer route for trucks, takes only a few more minutes of driving time for the truckers. Additionally, you rated it as an excellent truck route while you rated Lithia Pinecrest in the bottom 20 percent of all the routes you rated. Again, I ask, please remove Lithia Pinecrest from the truck route plan

Please reference the latest traffic evaluation @ Bloomingdale and Watson Road intersection....Bloomingdale is rated for 38,000 trips/day....it measured 50,000. Once again proof that it is a FAILED road. It is also supposed to be a scenic corridor.

We are very concerned for our future here in Lithia and the surrounding areas. There are many communities that flank Lithia Pinecrest Road. We have several schools on or very near by Lithia Pinecreast Road. My children ride the bus from the Fish Hawk Trails subdivision to their elementary school everyday, twice a day. We don't need to put them in harms way. These big trucks don't belong in this quiet residential area filled with children. Please route them another way that would have a much less impact on our communities. We hope you will understand and do the right thing. Thank you. Mary A. DiTaranto, Wife, Mother, PTA Member, Volunteer, Blood Donor and very concerned citizen

Please take Lithia Pinecrest Road off the Truck Route Plan. Our community is adamantly against LP as a truck route; it makes absolutely no sense. Your own truck route study rated it very low for truck traffic so how can you turn right around and recommend that it be part of the truck route plan ? This plan is extremely unsafe for all vehicles, and a disaster waiting to happen. There are thousands of kid-trips per day on this road during the school year and this plan puts all of our children at risk for what ? The phosphate companies' convenience and bottom line ?

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. Do you realize that there are approximately 10,000 kid-trips per day on Lithia Pinecrest during the school year? It is extremely unsafe for all vehicles, but a catastrophe - accident between a school bus and a truck - is just waiting to happen. Our subdivision has only one entrance / exit and it is on Lithia Pinecrest. Were there to be an accident involving hazardous materials on that section of LP, we would have no safe way to evacuate the area. I don't even understand why it is on your plan when you rated it in the bottom 20 percent of all the routes you rated. PLEASE help keep our kids safe - take LP off the truck route !!

Please DO NOT allow those huge trucks to travel through our community. There are homes all along that path on Bloomingdale & Lithia Pinecrest. Protect our families!!

I understand that phosphate haulers are an integral part of E. Hillsbourgh county but a peaceful, safe and a non-hazardous environment is also an integral part for the residents who live in this area. Lithia-Pinecrest and Bloomingdale are NOT suitable routes for speeding, gigantic, chemical trucks. Period! How about just voting on the side of the residents for once instead of the powerful chemical companies? Truly, R Wojahn

This use of Lithia Pinecrest Rd (LP) as a truck route make so little sense that I can't even beleive it's being considered. This road intersects with Bloomingdale Rd (BD) and is about a 1/2 mile from Bloomingdale High School (BHS) which is filled with young drivers that live and use these neighborhood roads to get to and from school daily. I realize truck routes must be put somewhere but I really can't understand how you could consider this particular road, that is extremely conjested, and already a high accident area, a good choice. If these huge trucks must travel through our community, at unbelievably high rates of speed, then a horrible tragedy is just waiting to happen. I understand that St Rd 674 is being used now - lets stick with a good thing rather than risk the lives of our kids. Please, come out to this community and just try to turn south off of Miller Road onto LP, sometime between 3 to 7 PM, then add speeding, huge trucks and just picture what risk you'd be putting all of us in, especially all those young high school kids that are going to and from their many afterschool activities. Please keep this area from family use only and not a commercial truck route. Thank you.

As a resident of the area impacted by the proposed truck route for hazardous materials, my family is asking that you not allow these trucks to travel down the road outside our neighborhood. Please consider the fact that a high school, with teenage drivers, and a middle school are on a major thoroughfare that feeds into the intersection of Fish Hawk Boulevard and Lithia Pinecrest Road and this poses a threat to numerous children in the event an accident should take place involving one of these vehicles loaded with hazardous materials. Thank you.

NO TRUCKS ON BLOOMINGDALE OR LITHIA PINECREST! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...

I drive Lithia Pinecrest Road every day. Please take it off the truck route for the safety of our families and quality of life. I understand that SR672, even though a little longer route for trucks, takes only a few more minutes of driving time for the truckers. Additionally, you rated it as an excellent truck route while you rated Lithia Pinecrest in the bottom 20 percent of all the routes you rated. Again, I ask, please remove Lithia Pinecrest from the truck route plan. We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. As stated in the newspaper, keeping Lithia Pinecrest Road on the truck route benefits phosphate companies at the expense of our safety and quality of life.

PLEASE REMOVE LITHIA-PINECREST ROAD (SR640) FROM THE TRUCK ROUTE PLAN. IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE THOSE TRUCKS GOING SO FAST AND RIDING OUR BUMPERS...IF THERE WAS A SUDDEN STOP,THE PERSON IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK WOULD BE PLOWED-OVER. NOT TO MENTION ALL OF THE SCHOOL BUSES WITH OUR CHILDREN ON THEM BEING "IN THE WAY" OF ONE OF THESE TRUCKS.PLEASE REMOVE LITHIA PINECREST FROM THE TRUCK ROUTE PLAN AND LEAVE IT OFF!

I am very concerned with the proposal to maintain Lithia Pinecrest as a truck route. I believe that all of the information presented thus far, is more than sufficient to warrant removal of Lithia Pinecrest as a truck route. The increase in population and the already overcrowding, coupled with the fact that LP is not scheduled to be widened in the next decade makes it perfectly clear that Lithia Pinecrest should not be a truck route. With a good viable route SR672, the commissioners and the planners should be well convinced to remove this option. Please listen to your constituents and remove this option.

I drive Lithia Pinecrest Road every day. Please take it off the truck route for the safety of our families and quality of life. I understand that SR672, even though a little longer route for trucks, takes only a few more minutes of driving time for the truckers. Additionally, you rated it as an excellent truck route while you rated Lithia Pinecrest in the bottom 20percent of all the routes you rated. Again, I ask, please remove Lithia Pinecrest from the truck route plan. We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. As stated in the newspaper, keeping Lithia Pinecrest Road on the truck route benefits phosphate companies at the expense of our safety and quality of life. We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Your own truck route study (as shown on your web site) rated it very low for truck traffic. We don't understand how you can turn right around and recommend that it be part of truck route plan. Even though there have only been a few accidents dealing with large trucks, why wait for a catastrophic accident between a truck and a school bus before you do anything about it? Please take Lithia Pinecrest Road off the Truck Route Plan. How many times do the residents of this County have to tell you that it's a bad idea to have LP as a truck route? We ' ve now stated it several times...at public meetings and in BOCC meetings. We are adamantly against LP as a truck route; it makes absolutely no sense...how can you call yourselves planners when you make recommendations like this? We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. Do you realize that there are approximately 10,000 kid-trips per day on Lithia Pinecrest during the school year? It is extremely unsafe for all vehicles, but a catastrophe - accident between a school bus and a truck - is just waiting to happen. Please take LP off the truck route.

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. As stated in the newspaper, keeping Lithia Pinecrest Road on the truck route benefits phosphate companies at the expense of our safety and quality of life.

I drive Lithia Pinecrest Road every day. Please take it off the truck route for the safety of our families and quality of life. I understand that SR672, even though a little longer route for trucks, takes only a few more minutes of driving time for the truckers. Additionally, you rated it as an excellent truck route while you rated Lithia Pinecrest in the bottom 20% of all the routes you rated. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Do you realize that there are approximately 10,000 kid-trips per day on Lithia Pinecrest during the school year? Please take Lithia Pinecrest off the truck route.

My husband and I are opposed to the Truck Route plan for Linebaugh and Countryway. This area was designed as a nice residential area with commercial traffic limited to serving the needs of the residents and nearby businesses. It was not designed to be a thoroughfare for trucks to get to another destination outside of the neighborhood. The opening of the UTB Library in December 2004 will add to the residential and pedestrian traffic and allowing more trucks to use these roads is unsafe. Please reconsider the plan.

I strongly OPPOSE the use of Countryway Bldv, Linebaugh Ave and Race Track Rd as designated truck routes. This area has grown very large in size just in the past 6 years I've lived here. These are residential roads with walkers, joggers, and mom's with strollers. Most importantly we have children, lots of children, who ride their bikes to school on the roads you want to make a truck route. They ride the buses to school on those same roads you want to make a truck route. People moved here because it is a beautiful residential area. How can you add a truck route to that mix? After reading other comments on this site surely you realize this is not what the people in the UTB area want. Come up with a different truck route and not in someone else's residential area. There has to be a better way.

I use Lithia-Pinecrest road almost daily. I have noted that there are several locations along that road that are severe traffic hazards, specifically: the intersections at Guiles Rd, Miller Rd, Valrico Rd, Belle Shoals, Oaklane Rd, Norridge Rd, Loreain, Orangewalk, Chickasaw & Meadowridge, Hummingbird, Sunshine, S. Oakwood, Dew Bloom, Westbrook, and Robertson. In many of these cases, one has a limited opportunity of merging due to fact that the intersections are not perpendicular to Lithia Pinecrest. Furthermore, there are several churches along this roadway that would put the attendees at risk. The increase in population in this area is already straining the capacity of these roads. Though I support widening of the road, I cannot support continued use of this resource by heavy trucks. I understand that SR672 (which I believe is Boyette-Fishhawk) was rated a better choice than Lithia-Pinecrest, and though I am not an engineer, seems to me to be better isolated from residential areas, especially in the section known as Fishhawk. Besides, this may relieve some of the congestion on Rt. 60 and Bloomingdale by providing a direct access from Interstate 75. Please accept the recommended removal of Lithia-Pinecrest from the truck route plan. Thank You.

Please take Lithia Pinecreast off the truck route. How many residence have to tell you to do this before you listen.

Please remove Lithia Pincrest as a truck route option. The bridge at the Alafia and Lithia Pinecrest is not rated for this truck traffic. This road should not be considered as it is strictly residential and is the only evacuation route that is not currently a truck route. Thank you.

TAKE THE TRUCKS OFF LITHIA PINECREST ROAD AND BLOOMINGDALE AVENUE. I am the President of the Buckhorn sub-division (654 homes) Homeowners Association, and the current leader of the Association of Valrico Communities (29 HOA's representing 11,000 homes). Getting the Truck Route off Lithia Pinecrest and Bloomingdale Avenue is a huge issue with our residents and members. The trucks on this route are almost totally those servicing the phosphate industry, and the SR 672 alternative is less-traveled, has less homes and businesses, and is nearly the same distance from the Port of Tampa. The risk of death and injury from these huge trucks carrying Sulfuric Acid, Molten Sulfur, and other dangerous materials, on Lithia Pinecrest and then especially Bloomingdale Avenue, is TREMENDOUS. For the SAFETY of our children on school buses, our families, and neighbors, PLEASE DIVERT THIS TRUCK ROUTE TO SR 672. Thank You.

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Your own truck route study (as shown on your web site) rated it very low for truck traffic. We don ' t understand how you can turn right around and recommend that it be part of truck route plan. Even though there have only been a few accidents dealing with large trucks, why wait for a catastrophic accident between a truck and a school bus before you do anything about it?

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Your own truck route study (as shown on your web site) rated it very low for truck traffic. We don ' t understand how you can turn right around and recommend that it be part of truck route plan. Even though there have only been a few accidents dealing with large trucks, why wait for a catastrophic accident between a truck and a school bus before you do anything about it?

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Your own truck route study (as shown on your web site) rated it very low for truck traffic. We don ' t understand how you can turn right around and recommend that it be part of truck route plan. Even though there have only been a few accidents dealing with large trucks, why wait for a catastrophic accident between a truck and a school bus before you do anything about it? I drive Lithia Pinecrest Road every day. Please take it off the truck route for the safety of our families and quality of life. I understand that SR672, even though a little longer route for trucks, takes only a few more minutes of driving time for the truckers. Additionally, you rated it as an excellent truck route while you rated Lithia Pinecrest in the bottom 20% of all the routes you rated. Again, I ask, please remove Lithia Pinecrest from the truck route plan.

The recommendations stated that the trucks travel in the right hand lane won't work on county roads. Why? I see traffic backed up at lights on 674 and there is a truck in each lane.I see trucks traveling on 674 from 301 to 41 on the inside lane.Try the right lane idea and if it doesn't work revert back.

We ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Your own truck route study (as shown on your web site) rated it very low for truck traffic. We don ' t understand how you can turn right around and recommend that it be part of truck route plan. Even though there have only been a few accidents dealing with large trucks, why wait for a catastrophic accident between a truck and a school bus before you do anything about it?

I drive Lithia Pinecrest Road every day. Please take it off the truck route for the safety of our families and quality of life. I understand that SR672, even though a little longer route for trucks, takes only a few more minutes of driving time for the truckers. Additionally, you rated it as an excellent truck route while you rated Lithia Pinecrest in the bottom 20% of all the routes you rated. Again, I ask, please remove Lithia Pinecrest from the truck route plan.

As residents of River Hills we ask that you remove Lithia Pinecrest Road from your truck route plan. It is an extremely unsafe road for large trucks to use because of its heavy traffic, many side streets, winding curves and narrow shoulders. Your own truck route study (as shown on your web site) rated it very low for truck traffic. We don ' t understand how you can turn right around and recommend that it be part of truck route plan. Even though there have only been a few accidents dealing with large trucks, why wait for a catastrophic accident between a truck and a school bus before you do anything about it?

Thanks for the clarification on the truck route proposal. That helps explain a lot. I understand what you are recommending for the Race Track, Linebaugh, Countryway loop and fully support the proposed changes in the truck route for this area. As you know, Countryway (between Hillsborough and Linebaugh) has a long single-lane section and passes right by a heavily used playground area. Reduction of truck traffic along this stretch of road is very much needed to insure the safety of children. The efforts and recommendations of you and all the country staff involved are very much appreciated.

As a new resident to the Westchase neighborhood and the city of Tampa, I thought a fresh prospective on this proposed truck route from the '' new guy '' would be beneficial. Coming from Washington, DC, I have witnessed first hand the issues which arrive with poor city planning of roadways in new growth areas. I was at a loss for words when I reviewed the proposed truck route, as Lingbaugh is already in disarray due to weather and traffic in which this road is unable to handle. In addition, I have witnessed numerous accidents and our own residents disregard for the speed limit and safety of Westchase residents. If anything, I feel that speed humps should be placed along Lingbaugh to help reduce commuter traffic through our neighborhood which already backs up traffic from Sheldon to Westchase Elementary in the mornings. If you think it is bad now, just wait until the following commercial projects are completed. Avenues of Westchase: The Avenues at Westchase will offer 100,000 square feet of open air mixed-use town center development. Mainstreet @Hampton lakes: Intersection of Countryway and Racetrack. Fully completed in the forth quarter of 05, Hampton Lakes will offer 500 apartment homes, 120,000 square feet of retail and up to 100,000 square feet of medical and office space. North Bay Commerce Center: North Bay is currently under construction at the intersection of Race Track and Tampa Road. Anchored by a Publix ' s supermarket and Target, the center will offer an additional 50,000 square feet of retail and 500,000 square feet of office space. Housing: Waterchase: 765 homes, Highland Park: 330 new homes, Enclave @Citrus Park 94 new homes. The new homes alone will increase the counties property tax base by at least 6 million a year. That is sufficient for speed humps which will put the truck issue to rest for good.

I AM COMPLETELY OPPOSED TO ADDING TRUCK ROUTES IN OUR AREA. We have so many problems with traffic as it is, that is not even counting the added flux of people we will have when they visit the new library. A residential community is suppose to remain as such, where families can leave in peace and enjoy the community,go to the neighboring schools, medical facilities, parks, and stores nearby. Why would you even consider such a plan is beyond my belief. The safety of children and residents should come first! We have a good amount of people taking their kids to school, jogging,bycicling, rollerskating, etc. Adding trucks to the existing traffic is not only a safety problem, but brings pollution, noise and deteriorates the quality of our roads. We also contribute through CDD fees in the restoration of roads and other features in our community - why should we support the truck route? This would deplete more the resources that our community could better use for other community enhancing projects. NO MORE TRUCKS!!!

I was very concerned when I read the article that stated the county was looking to add FishHawk Blvd to it's truck route! Anyone who has ever driven this road quickly realizes what a BAD idea this is! The growing family community of FishHawk is already overburdened on its' roadways due simply to local residents. FishHawk Blvd includes two public schools, a child day care center, and a soon to be county sports park. How the truck traffic will fit in with our community is not clear to me and I wish someone from the county could explain that to me. Every day I observe large speeding trucks driving down Lithia Pinecrest Road, and I do not want my children or any of my neighbors children having to worry about going to school or the park and have to be concerned about speeding truck traffic coming into our neighborhood. Please do NOT include FishHawk Blvd on any truck routes for the county for the sake of the well being of our residents. Thank you.

Having just heard of the potential of making FishHawk Blvd. a truck route, I feel the need to STRONGLY oppose such a plan. The continued development of land along FishHawk Blvd. will ultimately lead to growing traffic congestion problems. Already the traffic is congested with no plan for the near future to wided this road between Lithia-Pincrest and Boyette roads. I would recommend leaving the existing trucking routes as they are and not create more traffic problems elsewhere. Thank you.

I strongly oppose the prospect of placing the truck route along Fishhawk Boulevard/Boyette. Fishhawk residents strongly opposed placing the truck route through our community earlier this year, and we still feel that FishHawk Boulevard is not a viable option for placement of the truck route. We have several schools and daycares along Fishhawk Boulevard, and in the near future FishHawk Boulevard will also house the sports complex, which will certainly see constant traffic, consisting largely of children. Fishhawk Boulevard contains one lane going each way and it is already too congested. We have miles of trails along Fishhawk Boulevard that are utilized daily by our residents, adults and children alike, all of whom would be put in harms way if the truck route is placed on Fishhawk Boulevard. During the hours that schools in our area begin class and are let out for the day, FishHawk Boulevard can potentially become a virtual parking lot. Not to mention the large population of school buses that travel this already congested corridor, making frequent stops while picking up and letting off students. It is already difficult and time consuming to enter onto Fishhawk Boulevard from nearby schools, businesses and homes. We have recently seen the addition of several traffic lights along Fishhawk Boulevard, making the already congested artery even more time consuming to navigate. It would also be a very choppy, time consuming route for truckers, undoubtedly. As far as I know, there aren't any plans to widen Fishhawk Boulevard between Lithia Pinecrest and Boyette in the near future and our main artery, Fishhawk Boulevard, already has problems accommodating everyday traffic traveling on it. I stress the fact that FISHHAWK BOULEVARD IS ALREADY EXCESSIVELY CONGESTED and cannot handle more traffic. Our area is still being developed bringing hundreds, if not thousands of more residents to our area who will all most likely utilize Fishhawk Boulevard. FISHHAWK BOULEVARD IS ALREADY SUPER SATURATED WITH THE CURRENT AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC ALONG IT; BRINGING MORE TRAFFIC TO THIS ALREADY CONGESTED ROAD WOULD BRING UPON PROLEMS OF MASSIVE PROPORTIONS. Not even to mention the seemingly endless construction that has recently begun and will be ongoing for years (from what I understand) which is creating even longer delays. Routing the truck route along FishHawk Boulevard would be adding insult to injury. OUR ROADS NEED TO BE WIDENED AS THINGS CURRENTLY STAND WITHOUT ADDING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF TRUCK TRAFFIC TO AN ALREADY DIFFICULT SITUATION. The development slated for FishHawk Boulevard, as well as residential expansion in the area coupled with adding the truck route along this corridor could render FishHawk Boulevard nearly impassable at times. We've seen what can happen to this already congested corridor recently when Lithia Pinecrest was closed due to hurricane damage. Although the truck route may not add as much traffic as FishHawk Boulevard had to accommodate due to Lithia Pinecrest being closed (at least I hope not), we are all too familiar with what can happen with extra traffic traveling on this road, even during the lightest traffic of the day. I was traveling on FishHawk Boulevard close to 10pm and on account of overflow traffic due to the Lithia Pinecrest closure, it took me nearly 15 minutes to travel 2 miles. FISHHAWK BOULEVARD SIMPLY CANNOT ACCOMMODATE ANY MORE TRAFFIC. I am extremely concerned with what will happen as our community expands, given the tremendous congestion this road already suffers from. My husband travels from the Tampa Int'l. Airport area home every day from work and navigating Boyette and Fishhawk Boulevard to the entrance of Phase II of Fishhawk Ranch is the MOST TIME CONSUMING PART OF HIS COMMUTE ALL THE WAY HOME FROM SOUTH TAMPA. If not for the tremendous congestion along this road, his commute would probably be cut in half. Keep our residents safe, don't congest our roads more than they already are and please avoid making a bad situation worse. Please consider other locations for the truck route rather than FishHawk Boulevard/Boyette. Our main arteries are already struggling to accommodate commuters in a area that is growing by leaps and bounds. Thank you.

I am commenting on the proposed truck route through Countryway Blvd. This is a residential community with two new schools, a new library and pre-school. There are hundreds of children who use the streets and sidewalks to get to and from school and will soon be using them to get to the new library. Repeat, this is a residential community and not meant for commercial truckimg.

As a resident of a community along Countryway Boulevard, I strongly oppose establishing the proposed truck route between Linebaugh and Race Track road. The sidewalks along Countryway are heavily used and will become more so when our library soon opens. The danger posed by truck traffic through these residential areas is unacceptable. Please do not approve these routes.

Let me make this clear as I can be: you will turn Linebaugh and Country Way Blvd into a truck route; over my dead body. I promise you the residents will organize and I will lead the way. I am willing to go door to door to make it happen; this is about my property value period. Several comments are already on line that clearly show this is really a DUMB, DUMB IDEA. The builders may be paying the power brokers off, but I promise you the payback will be commisioners out of a job.

Countryway between Linebaugh and Racetrack should NOT be a truck route!! There are several communities in this area and it is a route to the elementary and middle schools! Kids can't walk to school as it is because of the condition of Countryway. Kids stand right on Countryway to catch the bus and the trucks that come through now are NOT obeying the speed limits.

I strongly OPPOSE the use of Countryway Bldv, Linebaugh Ave and Race Track Rd as designated truck routes. As a 12-year Westchase resident I have witnessed the positive, well-planned development that has occured throughout Northwest Hillsborough County -- all of which would be destoryed by allowing truck traffic. These are residential roads with school buses, joggers, bicyclist and mom's with stollers. I am hard pressed to understand the basis upon which the proposed plan makes any sense.

Traveling on Linebaugh Avenue West of Sheldon is a huge problem with major road repairs necessary immediately. The pot holes and erosion to road surface due to heavy traffic and poorly engineered roadways already exists. Furthermore, Countryway Blvd has speed limits posted at 35 miles per hour which are blatently disregarded (especially by commercial vehicles) and the safety of the children is already compromised. As a resident of Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect the highly residential neighborhood of Westchase, other than those made expressly for local deliveries. Adding truck routes would be a GRAVE mistake!

I am writing about the RACETRACK/COUNTRYWAY/LINEBAUGH project. This does not seem right - Countryway is a residential area with enough traffic issues as is. I cannot even begin to imagine what adding trucks would do. Please drive this way and look at the area - then reconsider your actions. Thank you

Thank you for providing the map that clearly defines your thru-truck route proposal. I oppose your proposal to allow thru truck traffic on Linebaugh and Countryway. It seems that you are proposing a truck route through a residential neighborhood where my 11 year old daughter rides her bike along with many other young children. Additionally, it seems that your proposal provides no traffic relief for the truck driver unless your intention is to encourage the illegal thru-truck traffic through the section of Linebaugh that intersects Montague - where mothers cross the street with strollers and so on. I am a new Westchase resident that is dumfounded by this proposal.

I am writing to join in the many responses you have already received from people in the Westchase area OPPOSING adding any sections of Race Track, Linebaugh and Countryway to approved truck routes. A simple survey of the large number of individuals, many of the children, who are routinely found running, bicycling, rollerskating, etc. on these streets would show that the County would be putting large numbers of children at risk by allowing more truck traffic. These are residential areas, with elementary schools, pre-schools, etc., right on the streets in question. Take a look between 6:30 and 8:30 in the morning at all the children waiting for school buses, coming into school, etc. Does the county want to increase the risk of harm to those children? There are already numerous trucks from construction of new developments in this area (i.e., Tree Tops, where we live, Waterchase, and now Highland Park). Try looking at Linebaugh in front of Westchase at 2:00 to 3:00 in the afternoon--look at the lines of parents waiting to pick up their kids, and the number of school buses. Do you want to add tractor trailers and other large vehicles to this already horrid traffic situation? Same thing in the morning in front of that school, where traffic already backs up on Linebaugh from Sheldon back to Countryway, between traffic to Westchase Elementary and traffic getting on the Veterans Expressway just to the east. Race Track Road would be an even more dangerous place for more trucks. As mentioned, construction at Waterchase and Highland Park has already caused a large increase in construction traffic, and as those developments fill in, there will be far more traffic from residents. Race Track in that area is already terribly congested with only one lane in each direction and not so much as a left turn signal to turn east onto Countryway from Race Track heading south. My understanding is that the County already knows they need to widen Race Track and was supposed to start on that project, but it has been delayed due to problems securing the needed rights of way. Why in the world would you want to compound that problem by steering MORE trucks onto that already overcrowded road? Moreover, the road is so narrow (no shoulders and a narrow bridge north of Waterchase) that going by a truck on the other side is already a harrowing experience, especially in the rain. Let's bring some sanity into this situation--do not make these streets truck routes and endanger our children and other residents of the area.

I agree with Ms. Smith: "The traffic on Linebaugh Ave between Sheldon Road and Race Track Road is already a horror - especially during Westchase Elementary school hours. It is not unusual to wait 30 minutes to drive one half mile during drop off/ pick up hours. Please do not add truck traffic to an already heavily burdened thoroughfare." These roads were not constructed as truck routes and should not be used as such. Aside from the condition of our community streets, we are also concerned for our children's safety.

I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have trucks using a residential area - Countryway/Racetrack Linebaugh. The traffic is already bad in the area and adding trucks will make it worse. This will make the roads even more unsafe for the children walking to school or even the library. Trucks would be passing right in front of the library.

I think it is absolutely ridiculous to have trucks using a residential area. The traffic is already bad in the area and adding trucks will make it worse. This will make the roads even more unsafe for the children walking to school or even the library. Trucks would be passing right in front of the library.

Please protect our children by NOT changing the truck routes. Racetrack Road, Linebaugh Avenue and Countryway Blvd - should NOT be truck routes!

I hope that the Committee would reconsider and revisit their recommendation re. Truck Routes and not add to any section of Linebaugh or Countryway to Race Track Road. We do not need Truck Routes in these residential areas of Upper Tampa Bay. If all of the Committee members have not personally visited this area, hopefully they will before they make their final decision to see how this area has grown in the last 10 years. When you do visit, besides the traffic in the area they would see many residents of all ages using the sidewalks to jog, roller blade, bike, and walk where you are recommending a truck route. We have parents and school buses driving their children to and from the local schools of Westchase Elementary, Bryant Elementary, and Farnell Middle School, and students driving to Alonso HS. There is a Nursery School located not far from the intersection of Linebaugh/Countryway and residential communities on both sides of Countryway. There also is a Retirement Facility on Linebaugh to Countryway, and a Medical Facility on Linebaugh. Soon there will be a new Upper Tampa BAy Library where many people from all of the UTB Area will be visiting located on Countryway. You would also see many of our neighbors from other Communities in the UTB Area shopping at the local stores that are located at the Countryway/Linebaugh area from other UTB Communities. This area has 66,000 plus residents and growing. It is obvious from reading the comments on this site that many of the residents of this area are opposed to any truck routes. Since all of them live in this area and know it well, I hope you listen to the voice of the people in this matter and reconsider your recommendation.

Please add my name to the list of Westchase residents opposing the proposed truck route modifications. William McCall's (Senior Professional Engineer of the Transportation Division of Planning and Growth Management)statements portray a person who has made a bad decision yet stubbornly refuses to acknowledge a mistake. The residents of Westchase, Westchester and other affected communities will be at the forum and Board of Commissioners meeting to question and overturn this proposal, the logic and the motivations of those making these suggestions.

I am writing in regards to the proposed new truck route on COUNTRYWAY ROAD between LINEBAUGH & RACE TRACK ROAD. It appears to me to be no reason to have a truck route in this area to begin with. The County is building a Library that would bring more traffic into an already quiet residential area. This previously named portion of road is the outlet from 7 residential subdivions/residences in just a 2 mile or so stretch. This is also HIGHLY used for walking, stroller and bike traffic for leisure and to get to the neighborhood shops as well as being the site of MANY bus stops for our elementary kids and youth. This means that children are exposed to this traffic on just a small stretch of roadway. Just to the north of RACE TRACK on COUNTRYWAY also sits 2 schools back to back that must use that intersection of COUNTRYWAY & RACE TRACK to transport children to/from the school as well as children having to walk that intersection themselves. Not to mention the lack of noise control it would create, the safety of our children and even adults would be in jeopardy since these trucks have large blind spots, and would be traveling at a speed that would GREATLY hinder their ability to stop such a load quick enough in the instance a pet or child would be too close to the road or just a few inches off the bike path IN THE ROAD. I not only concern myself with such issues, I am unsure why the county would even feel it was a viable route. I will add that the county will find MUCH opposition from the more than 5000 homes that surround and utilize this stretch of road to get into and out of the area. Please reconsider a new area for this route. C. Boyles

Another resident expressing opposition to linebaugh becoming a Through-Truck route. Our residents have spoken very loudly and very clearly. Please do not ruin our community. and My peronsl opinion is that I would like to see a traffic circle constructed at the intersection of Linebaugh and Montague.

WESTCHASE RESIDENTS OPPOSE the ADDITION OF A TRUCK ROUTE EXTENSION encompassing RACE TRACK ROAD to COUNTRYWAY to LINEBAUGH AVENUE! It is absurd to believe that if the truck route is extended from Countryway to Race Track Road on Linebaugh Avenue that trucks will not continue traveling west on Linebaugh from the current designated truck route (Linebaugh Avenue cutting off at Sheldon Road) straight through to Race Track Road. This is already happening and not being enforced! The current truck traffic is tearing up the roads which Westchase residents paid to build through their CDD assessments. There is also a considerable amount of through traffic from individuals using our community as a short-cut, which also causes considerable inconvenience already. I strongly urge Hillsborough County NOT to use our neighborhood as a time-saving route for trucks.

WESTCHASE RESIDENTS OPPOSE the ADDITION OF A TRUCK ROUTE EXTENSION encompassing RACE TRACK ROAD to COUNTRYWAY to LINEBAUGH AVENUE! Our family relocated from a quiet suburb north of Dallas, TX. to the Westchase area a year and a half ago. We looked at several neighborhoods both in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties before selecting Westchase as our home. We were attracted to the serene ponds, park settings and "feel" of a residential neighborhood. On a daily basis Westchase residents are found jogging, walking, biking and rollerblading throughout the community which includes the proposed truck route thoroughfares noted above. Our home is located in The Fords subdivision and our backyard backs up the brick wall on Linebaugh Avenue. I can assure you after being awakened by trucks at 4 a.m. that the current no truck route code is not being enforced for our residents. As I sit by my pool trying to relax I hear trucks whizzing by throughout the day off of Linebaugh. What happened to this serene residential neighborhood I thought I purchase my home in? It is absurd to believe that if the truck route is extended from Countryway to Race Track Road on Linebaugh Avenue that trucks will not continue traveling west on Linebaugh from the current designated truck route (Linebaugh Avenue cutting off at Sheldon Road) straight through to Race Track Road. This is already happening and not being enforced! The current truck traffic is tearing up the roads which Westchase residents paid to build through their CDD assessments. Now in addition to our CDD's we are faced with escalating taxes being assessed by Hillsborough County. The last threat it presents to our community is our most precious one, our children. There is no need to intermingle truck routes with school bus routes and our children being given the freedom to safely ride their bikes to the UTB Library when completed. I strongly urge you on behalf of the 3,200 residents in Westchase and our neighboring communities of Countryway, Westchester & Waterchase to reconsider any extension of the truck route to Race Track, Linebaugh or Countryway. There are too many residents and children in our community that are threatened by the danger the proposed truck route presents. Sincerely, Shari L. Anders

WESTCHASE RESIDENTS OPPOSE THE ADDITION OF A TRUCK ROUTE EXTENSION INCOMPASSING RACE TRACK ROAD TO COUNTRYWAY TO LINEBAUGH AVENUE!

I find it incredible that a truck route would be considered for Countryway and Linebaugh. The intersection of Countryway and Linebaugh is already conjested, and I would be interested in the number of wrecks which have occurred at that intersection in the past year. By the way, last night there was a wreck at that intersection. My child and his friends ride bikes through that intersection. There is a preschool just a few feet away. I can't imagine why this type of residential area would even be considered as a truck route, and am very opposed to it being designated as such!

NO TRUCK ROUTE!!!Fix our current traffic problems without adding new ones. Traffic in Westchase used to be a dream until the opening connection at racetrack. Now it's a nightmare. Don't compound the problem by adding a truck route through Westchase.

My family lives off of Countryway in the Sheffield development and we are against having the truck route changed to Countryway Blvd, Race Track Rd and Linebaugh Ave. This is truly a residential area and having trucks go through this area would be dangerous for the children and noisy for all the residents. Please do not change the truck route to include Countryway, Race Track and Linebaugh. Thanks. Susan Leonard

Dear Sirs: As a resident of Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect the highly residential neighborhood of Westchase.This area is a nice very family oriented area where people are outside riding bikes, running, walking, rollerblading, etc. all the time. Adding the truck to this community is expolring the children to the dangous

NO TRUCKROUTES THROUGH WESTCHASE!!! There is already a problem with traffic conjestion and huge trucks will just make it worse. This is a family oriented neighborhood with children and school buses on the roads. This is the reason we moved here. The last thing we need is big noisy trucks going through our neighborhood! I am totally against this. The trucks just need to stay on the highways.

I oppose the expansion of truck routes in the West Case area. The reason for moving into the area was for less congestion than inner Tampa or Pinellas County. The roads are congested enough with simple local residential traffic. There are more and more business that are already under construction, i.e. Kash & Karry, Library, various professional buildings. These new business will add even more congestion without the addition of trucks. Mary Bryant Elementary will than be affected and that is where my children go to school. There is no need for trucks to be driving through where school buses are driving through. Thank you.

"Additionally, that Countryway Boulevard from Linebaugh to Race Track, and Linebaugh from Countryway to Race Track be added to the list of designated truck routes." (Why?) The committee's recommendation here makes absolutely no sense. These sections of roadway are lined with residential communities, not to mention a new community/regional library. Get on with the business of improving Race Track Rd and restrict through-way truck traffic to Race Track Rd only. Thank you.

Please reconsider adding truck routes to Race Track, Linebaugh and Countryway. They are already very busy and congested and with schools on two of the three, think of the added dangers. These roads are already bad and adding more large trucks will make them wear out even faster and put many additional lives in danger.

We are residents of Westchester and we strongly dissapprove of having having a truck route cut through our subdivision! We have children already taking a risk to cross Countryway to go to school or a friends house, adding 18 wheel trucks could become a deadly situation. We implore you to find another alternative and spare our community from a preventable danger!

As a homeowner in a subdivision off of Racetrack Road, I think that the current construction traffic is bad enough without the added danger of a designated truck route in our area. The current trucks are already causing trouble as they do not obey the speed limits and are often over the double yellow lines, often causing head on drivers onto the side of the road.

As a resident of Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect the highly residential neighborhood of Westchase, other than those made expressly for local deliveries. Thank you.

As a citizen of Westchase and a person who utilizes the sidewalk and crosswalk at the intersection of Linebaugh and Countryway, I am completely against the proposal to designate the western portion of Linebaugh Avenue, or any other portion of Linebaugh Avenue, as a truck route. I'm equally opposed to the idea that Countryway Boulevard, north of Linebaugh, might possibly be turned into an extension of that truck route. As a wheelchair-bound individual who frequents the shopping center at the corner of Countryway and Linebaugh I am extremely concerned about the possibility that more trucks might be permitted in this area. These roads are highly congested and the excess traffic, which a truck route would necessitate, would do nothing but further exasperate an already difficult situation. I would also like to ask that you consider the safety of the many children who cross that intersection to visit the many shops which cater to their needs.

NO TRUCK ROUTE IN WESTCHASE!!!!!!! My neighbors and I are very concerned that your committee is considering adding portions of Linebaugh and Countryway to the truck route designations. As I understand the proposal, Linebaugh would be a truck route between Racetrack and Countryway. Your current map shows that Linebuagh east of Sheldon is already a truck route. This means that Linebaugh will be a truck route in this area for all except a three mile stretch. It is absurd to believe commercial trucks will not simply cut through this three mile stretch, and in doing so pass parks, schools, bike lanes, and many other areas where foot traffic and children are in close proximity to the road. Policing of current traffic concerns is already being shown is very ineffective. If truckers only have to run a three mile stretch without cutting caught, it will only worsen. NO PORTION OF LINEBAUGH WEST OF SHELDON SHOULD BE A TRUCK ROUTE!!!!!!

We're against this idea of a highway through a residential community. Can you please also advise what was the basis of this recommendation? If the county needs a east west arterial in tampa then what are the year 2020 plans of making one. if there anre no plans for such an arterial then converting residential roads to arterials just confirms the lack of planning. we would strongly recommend that the county planners PLAN ahead and not messup PLANNED developments.

I am opposed to designating any of these roads truck routes (Linebaugh, Countryway AND Racetrack). Commissioners have approved extensive residential building in all of these areas and then to permit trucks to use these routes will further complicate increased congestion. There are two schools, Mary Bryant Elementary and Farnell, where students do ride their bikes and walk to the schools which requires them to cross Racetrack. I have watched many vehicles speed through the intersection at Racetrack and Countryway and witnessed several near-misses. There aren't any crosswalks or safety features for these students and I am fearful that it will take a serious accident before anyone take my concerns seriously. My question is this: Are the trucks more important than the children or the pedestrians that will be crossing these roads to get to shopping centers or other developments?

WESTCHESTER RESIDENTS ARE OPPOSED TO MAKING COUNTRYWAY A TRUCK ROUTE! As a brand new resident of Westchester, I would like to voice my family's point of view. We bought in this area because of it's "planned community" nature and because of it's strong family environments. If you were to drive down Linebaugh and down Countryway to Race Track, you would see 2 elementary schools, several playgrounds, a new library due to be completed this December, at least one childcare facility, and numerous neighborhoods and apartment complexes. The sidewalks in both Westchester and Westchase are used commonly by our neighbors for jogging, walking, walking pets, pushing strollers, etc. Due to the high number of children and families in the area, Countryway is NOT an appropriate route for large commercial vehicles. At the very minimum, it poses a danger to the children who live here. Factor in increased noise, increased wear-and-tear on roads not designed to handle commercial vehicle traffic, and pollution issues, and the impact trucks would have on our communities becomes very evident. For the sake of our children, our families, our quality of life, and our property values, We urge you to reconsider options and choose a less populated venue for large commercial vehicles to use. Thank you.

I think it is absolutely unnecessary for trucks to utilize our community streets for their routes. We are a small area of lots of different communities and the traffic is already very heavy. Putting trucks on our roads would not only be more dangerous for us, but the noise and pollution would be highly elevated. Not to mention the wear and tear on the streets. You will see pothole after pothole on paths that trucks use. And the biggest reason I am against this is most truckers are notoriously fast drivers. That would infringe on our safety and the safety of every passenger that makes the trek through our communities. We moved from Chicago 4 years ago, so having only a couple ways to get places is new to us!! But, even though we don't have lots of short-cuts to go anywhere, we are surrounded by beautiful Florida forests and swamps. Tampa cannot try to be like any other city in the US, we've got water everywhere and to get anywhere you have to go around. So, even though truckers would benefit in the use of our streets to cut off an hour or so of time getting to where they need to go, they would be impeding on our right to a quiet little community with no truck traffic.

My husband and I would like to voice our opposition to the proposed changes in the truck route plan (adding Race Track Rd., Countryway and Linebaugh Ave.)We are residents of Sheffield, located just off of Countryway Blvd. The children of our neighborhood wait at bus stops located right on Countryway Blvd. They attend the new middle and elementary schools located on Nine Eagles, just across Race Track, and many times, even though I believe they are all bussed, I see children crossing Race Track Rd. on their way to and from school. Countryway and Linebaugh Ave. in this area are almost exclusively residential, and Race Track Rd., near the Countryway intersection is becoming increasingly popular as a residential corridor with the addition of upscale developments like Waterchase and Highland Park. Making these roads part of a designated truck route, in our view, is not consistent with the residential nature of this area. Our residents' children, those who use the sidewalks for jogging and biking, commuters etc., will all be at risk if this plan is carried out. I have already noticed one makeshift memorial on Countryway Blvd. during the short time I have lived in this community. I would hate to see more crosses dotting our neighborhood roadways.

Good Afternoon. I would like to voice my opposition to any future plans to change Linebaugh Ave. between Sheldon and Race Track Road to a truck route. As you know our Westchase community of around 3200 residents use the stretch of Linebaugh between Sheldon and Countryway to jog, walk or ride bicycles. As it is now we have over 30,000 cars a day on that stretch of road which contributes to both air pollution and just a plain hazard for those trying to exist in a beautiful community. So opening it to a truck route with many 18 wheelers is only going to create a much larger hazard between autos and trucks not to mention that portion of Linebaugh through the heart of Westchase was never meant to be a thoroughfare of large trucks from Sheldon Road to Racetrack and on through to Pinellas County. One only has to look at the current state of Linebaugh Ave between Countryway and Montague to see how bad the condition of the road is now with potholes and that's without the additional heavy trucks daily degrading it. So in closing I would ask you to consider not changing the design of Linebaugh Ave through Westchase to allow 18 wheel trucks to pass through. They have not been using this part of Linebaugh or Countryway Blvd for their delivery routes for the past 13 years and have been getting along just fine so lets keep it that way. Thanks in advance for reviewing this. Charlie Gauzza Voting member for Westchase Kingsford subdivision representing 132 homes.

Please add our family to those opposed to the designation of Linebaugh Ave. and Country Blvd. as Trucking routes. It's time to put residents and families before developers and big business. Westchase was intended to be a planned community void of heavy commercial development or traffic. I urge the Board Members to support the quality of life we enjoy in Westchase and eliminate Linebaugh and Countryway as potential trucking routes. Thank you!

My wife and I are writing to express our opposition to adding Linebaugh Avenue and Countryway Boulevard through Westchase to the county's thru-truck route. Westchase is a vibrant, clean community whose sidewalks are used continually by runners, walkers and bikers. Adding these streets to the county route will unnecessarily undermine the appearance, peace and unity of the community. West Park Village within Westchase is a neo-traditional development constructed to encourage pedestrian as opposed to vehicular traffic. Why would you choose to undermine such community-building efforts by seeking to increase traffic through the heart of Westchase? Worse, of all things, why would you choose to encourage commercial truck traffic? There are far more appropriate commmercial routes that do not bisect communities that the county should use. Quite frankly, I'm rather shocked the change was even proposed. It absolutely flies in the face of smart, community-friendly development. Many thanks for your kind consideration of our concerns and for providing this useful forum for input.

NO TRUCK ROUTE IN WESTCHASE! Please keep these large, dangerous, destructive commercial vehicles out of our residential neighborhood. There is no commercial destination with-in the proposed route. These giant vehicles are already a problem, driving through illegally, tearing up the road surface that was not designed for these large trucks. Large numbers of pedestrians, including small children, cross the corner of linebaugh and countryway boulevard everyday... please do not put them in harms way! WE DO NOT WANT A TRUCK ROUTE IN WESTCHASE!

As a resident of the Shires in Westchase I am opposed to the proposal which designates a truck route along Countryway Blvd from Linebaugh to Racetrack Road. This section of road serves two schools, two large apartment complexes, one large shopping area, one smaller shopping area, a regional library, a number of school bus stops and several large communities, which enter the road from Oaksbury Dr., Citrus Park Drive, Nine Eagles Dr and Race Track Road. Clearly, given the volume of cars, school buses and local truck traffic this road is already at or near capacity. Moreover, the potential of an accident involving one of the dozens of school buses increases exponentially. Any proposal to increase truck traffic on this section of road exacerbates an already intolerable traffic safety situation to the level of catastrophe in waiting. I urge you NOT to include this section of road in the proposed truck route plan.

We would like to express our concern over the proposal to designate a "loop" from Racetrack/Countryway/Linebaugh/Racetrack for truck traffic. This proposal makes no sense. Traffic would be directed from a soon to be 4 lane road onto residential streets for just a few miles and then dumped back onto the same road. The area of Westchase in which we live, the Shires, is right off Countryway. We already have an extremely difficult time getting out of our neighborhood and the traffic is steadily increasing with the two new office parks and public library are not even open yet. To add large, fast moving trucks to the mix further complicate an already dangerous situation. Add to this the noise, dirt and road erosion caused by these large vehicles and the proposal is even more incredulous. It is also obvious, that these trucks will not only use this loop, but will continue down Countryway to Hillsbourough and Linebaugh to Sheldon. If this is allowed, it will be tragically reducing the way of life now enjoyed in Westchase.

Dear Sirs: As a resident of Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect the highly residential neighborhood of Westchase, other than those made expressly for local deliveries. Those that I oppose use of for commercial purposes that are under consideration include: Linebaugh Avenue in it's entirety from Sheldon Road all the way West to Racetrack Road, and Countrway Blvd. Westchase was designed as pedestrian friendly, family friendly neighbourhood: there is an Westchase Elementary school right on Linebaugh avenue, and kids and parents , who live within 2 miles area walk, or bike to school. Many residents also walk, or bike to shopping centers, Swimm and Tennis Center, and playground facilities. Designating Linebaugh avenue and Countryway blvd. as a truck route will put many people in great danger. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Svetlana and Dmitriy Marinskiy.

Before authorizing Linebaugh in West Chase as a truck route, I urge you to visit our community. It is a beautiful residential area, but often congested with local traffic as it is. At Rush Hour, especially when school is in session, it approaches grid lock conditions. The addition of a regular truck route to our neighborhood would further exacerbate this problem and add even more strain to the road surface, which with heavy rains and traffic is already disintegrating. Please restrict truck routes to commerical zones.

I object to Linebaugh Ave & Countryway Blvd becoming a Truck Route. I have lived inWestchase for over 10 years and the reason for my wife and I moving to this area is because of the many attributes and people which make up this wonderful community. Now the idea of trucks barrelling through our fine community and the likelyhood of increase accidents and tremendous traffic jams due to trucks using both lanes and since we rollerblade, ride bicycles and jog for recreation, this too will be threaten by allowing trucks to use both Lineboaugh & Countryway Blvd as truck routes. We appeal to your sense of Community Living and not allow for this to be approved.

A decision to allow trucks into the Westchase are via Linebaugh, Countryway and Race Track Road would severely cripple our fragile community. It is almost impossible to travel these roads now without encountering delays and heavy traffic due to the amount of vehicles that use these roads as a way to "cut through" to other main roads. Our community is filled with children, schools and residents on foot or jogging, not to mention all the moms out with their little ones in strollers. Trucks using these roads would present a hazard to us. Please consider using and assigning other main roads that were made with that purpose in mind.

Dear Committee Members: Using Linebaugh and Country Way as a truck route undermines the purpose of our neighborhood. A tranquile and safe atmosphere will be jeopardized. We do not need more traffic added to an already overly used roadway. Truck traffic will lead to more signage, more traffic lights, more noise, higher speeds, and numerous disadvantages. Route the traffic on Racetrack or Sheldon. Roadways that were or will be designed for such use. The condition of Linebaugh Ave. has already deteriorated after less than a year of repaving with just the excessive traffic flow of cars alone. Please consider these and other comments of my Westchase neighbors. Hays and Katie Gailbreath

Sir, I'm deeply troubled about Linebaugh Ave. becoming a truck route. That road can't handle all the car traffic now. The roadway is loaded with pot holes just from car traffic, what will large trucks do to it? We have Westchase grammer school on that road which empties directly onto Linebaugh. We have Davidson middle school which empties out onto Linebaugh Ave and we have a day care center which also is on Linebaugh. Our community also has many sub-divisions, several shopping centers, and a county golf course which only road into and out of is Linebaugh Ave. By making it a truck route just to accomadate Pinellas County is asking for a disaster in the making. To many children and young parents use Linebaugh via bikes, strollers or skate boards now and by adding a major truck route on that road will be putting each and every one of those people in danger. Please keep things as they are and don't cave in to our neighboring county. Westchase was developed to be a quite nature loving community in the suburds of a major city and by adding 18 wheelers you as a committee will destroy the very concept that this community was built on. Please don't do it. Thanks for your time. Frank Colucci

DEAR SIRS PLEASE RECONSIDER THE PROPOSED USE OF RACE TRACK RD/COUNTRYWAY/LINEBAUGH AS A TRUCK ROUTE. THIS AREA IS A TIGHTLY KNIT COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES, ALL THE ROADS LISTED, OTHER THAN RACE TRACK RD, ARE RESIDENTIAL IN NATURE. CHILDREN PLAY ALONG THESE ROUTES, AND FAMILIES USE THIS ROUTE FOR DAILY ERRANDS INCLUDING SCHOOL COMMUTES. PLEASE CONSIDER EXCLUDING COUNTRYWAY AND LINEBAUGH FROM THE PROPOSED TRUCK ROUTE.

Please do not add Linebaugh or Countryway to the truck routes. This area is a nice very family oriented area where people are outside riding bikes, running, walking, rollerblading, etc. all the time. Adding these streets to the route would be a huge detriment to the community and would likely have an adverse impact on property values.

We are strongly opposed to your plans for a truck route involving Linebaugh Road and Countryway Blvd. These roads run through residential areas which are not equipped to handle heavy traffic. They are currently closed to all truck traffic except for local traffic and should stay that way. We don't need the extra danger, noise or polution heavy trucks bring. These trucks have an alternate route already in Hillsborough/Tampa Road. Please do not ruin a beautiful community with the addition of unwanted trucks. We have enough traffic as it is with the opening of the Forest Lakes Road extension in to Pinellas County. I would also point out trucks are also not allowed on a majority of Forest Lakes Road, through the residential areas. Your plan is not consistant with our community. Please rethink what you are proposing. Thank you. Neil Shefler

Dear County Commissioners, I oppose your plan to allow the following to become "designated truck routes:" Linebaugh Avenue in its entirety from Sheldon Road west to Racetrack Road, and the area north on Countrway Blvd from Linebaugh Avenue to Race Track Road. As a resident of Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect my densely residential neighborhood. The only exception should be to allow trucks who make local deliveries to the businesses on Linebaugh, Montague and Countryway. Additionally, I believe that with the daily congestion on Race Track Road due to residential and commercial developments, as well as the high pedestrian traffic because of the race track itself, it would be a mistake to grant increased usage of this road for commercial vehicles as it is widened. Both Hillsborough Ave and Sheldon Rd have been appropriately widened and lighted to serve commercial industries and their delivery path needs. Thank you for your consideration.

Please do not designate Linebaugh between Sheldon and Race Track Road as a truck through route. This is the main road that goes through the Westchase community and is inappropriate to serve as a truck route. The road is rather narrow and crowded (being a residential area) and has the unfortunate additional problem of frequent speeding. Allowing the use of this road as a truck route will undoubtedly result in an increased frequency of accidents and a general disruption in the lives of those living in this residential area. A more appropriate truck route near the area would be Hillsborough/Tampa Road as an East-West corridor. Thank you.

I live in the Westchase subdivision and I respectfully request that you do not designate any portion of Linebaugh Avenue or Countryway Boulevard as truck routes. Countryway Blvd. is a predominately residential road that has enough trouble with cars speeding. It does not need trucks speeding along as well. Linebaugh Avenue has become very congested at peak times as it is and also has more than a minor problem with speeding. Unless the county plans to step up its actions to curb the traffic and speed problems along these roads, the addition of trucks will only cause mayhem and more than likely the loss of lives. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this comment.

My wife and I live in Westchase, and we do NOT want Linebaugh Avenue, within Westchase to become a truck route. This is a residential community, with children, bikes, joggers, etc...Please support our need to keep Linebaugh Avenue truck free ! Thanks.

Dear Sirs: As a resident of the Shires in Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect the highly residential neighborhood of Westchase, other than those made expressly for local deliveries. Those that I oppose use of for commercial purposes that are under consideration include: Linebaugh Avenue in it's entirety from Sheldon Road all the way West to Racetrack Road, and the area of Countrway Blvd. North from Linebaugh Avenue to Racetrack Road. Additionally, I believe that with the daily congestion on Racetrack Road due to recent residential developments, as well as the Race track itself, that it would be a mistake to grant increased usage of this road for commercial vehicles as it is widened unless it is the ONLY thoroughfare that can be commercially used to connect Hillsborough Avenue to Gunn Highway. The 254 homeowners in the Shires find it very difficult to exit the Shires during many times of the day. This would only be made worse by amending this restriction. Thank you for your consideration

Dear Sirs: As a resident of Westchase I am opposed to any truck route designations that enter into or affect the highly residential neighborhood of Westchase, other than those made expressly for local deliveries. Those that I oppose use of for commercial purposes that are under consideration include: Linebaugh Avenue in it's entirety from Sheldon Road all the way West to Racetrack Road, and the area of Countrway Blvd. North from Linebaugh Avenue to Racetrack Road.

The traffic and traffic noise on Linebaugh between Sheldon and Race Track is already horrendous. This is a beautiful residential community. A truck route is inappropriate.

I wanted to state my opposition to the proposed truck route on Linebaugh Avenue extending from Sheldon to Reacetrack and in the Countryway vicinity. I have been a member of this community for over six years. I feel that the road surface has already suffered tremendous damage, in part to the illegal passage of trucks. I fear that there will be a continued pattern of damage if this road is designated a truck route. Additionally, the passage of trucks on this throughfare poses a significant safety hazard for various reasons. 1) We have heavy school bus traffic,car traffic, and pedestrian traffic associated with the Elementary school (which fronts Linebaugh) and the middle school ( which is a mile or so down Montague, which is a dead end road) 2) the area is densely populated and as a result there are a considerable number of commuters using the road, the prescence of large vehicles (trucks) compound the already difficult traffic situation during peak times (ingress and egress to the various communities along Linebaugh) 3) with the development of the Avenus across from the Elementary School, a light is scheduled to be installed( along with a crosswalk) to manage the bus,parent and business traffic at the entrance to the School. Finally, the emissions increased emissions associated with this additional traffic cannot positively effect the air quaility. We have a high numbers of joggers,bikers and pedestrians that use our streets. I have served in a volunteer capacity in our schools and local community association and feel that I can honestly say that my opinion is representative of a majority of residents in our community. We are already faced with a number of traffic flow and calming issues in the community and the additional traffic would not be welcome. We are reasonable people and understand the need for local deliveries to our community businesses, however Linebaugh and Countryway should not be used as a throughfare for trucks not doing business in the community. I believe that rather than using two roads that t