“Better late than never” could be the phrase of the day for the FishHawk area, which has been patiently waiting for a traffic signal to be installed at the intersection of FishHawk Crossing and FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia.
Newland Communities promised to complete the project last fall, but it was postponed due to a necessary rerouting of the TECO power line, located directly above the intersection. It was too low for the installation of a traffic signal.
Pleased with the progress of a number of projects in the area, including road work and improvements in Circa FishHawk, Starling and FishHawk Ranch Communities, Newland Communities Tampa North Vice President and General Manager Tom Panaseny was eager to share the update on the signal project.
“Yes, construction has commenced by the CDD II contractor, Southwest Signal, which is now scheduled to be completed by mid-September,” Panaseny said, adding, “I am looking forward to getting this complete.”
Of course, from now until it is done, residents can expect some delays in the intersection as workers install the necessary parts, including the steel mast arms that support the traffic signals due on the job site as scheduled.
Without much fan fare and rather efficiently, TECO completed raising the main transmission lines last month and will now work together with Southwest Signal to schedule a temporary outage while the contractor sets the mast arms for safety purposes.
“FishHawk Ranch and area residents should not experience any significant (if any) downtime,” Panaseny said.
Many are glad to see the project finally get going, including Garden District resident Larry Leichner, whose wife’s car was totaled in an early morning two-car accident two years ago. “We needed a light here for years,” Leichner said, adding that he believes the crash could have been avoided with a traffic signal in place. “I can’t wait to see the lights finally installed.”
The project was bid on by FishHawk CDD II and the contract was awarded to Southwest Signal Inc. on Monday, April 18, 2011, with the estimated 120-150 days of construction completion for the project. For info about upcoming projects, visit www.fishhawkconnect.com or fishhawkranch.com.
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