Project Access and Traffic

 The City of Tarpon Spring’s traffic consultant, the project’s traffic engineer, Kimley-Horn, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) all agree that the three dedicated lanes of access on U.S. 19 provide a safe and sufficient means of ingress and egress to the property.  

Florida Department of Transportation testimony quotes:

•  “FDOT is in favor of the proposed turn lane design and the driveway design and placement. We find it innovative and consistent with the states traffic safety initiatives”

• “We believe that it will operate safely and efficiently, and a review of the traffic shows that it should operate at an acceptable level of service” 

• “It’s been proven, not only at the district level, but at the state level that having U-turn lanes or bi-directional turn lanes, in lieu of a full median opening overall, across the board, greatly reduces severe and fatal crashes.” 

• “As far as the level of service of U.S. 19, there is no change… this project does not generate enough traffic that the percentage of change [caused by the project to the level of service] would be completely negligible”  

Morgan Group is proposing access exclusively on U.S. 19, thereby avoiding traffic impacts to adjacent residential neighborhoods. The project application includes a detailed traffic report that demonstrates access on U.S. 19 is sufficient to serve the traffic needs to the project.

The site is zoned for General Business which allows for shopping center and big box retail construction as of right. Anclote Harbor's proposed residential  use will greatly reduce the traffic impact that the site is zoned for.