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County staff says Westlake road widening, signals for Morgan High School on track for August school start
Summary
County staff told the Board of County Commissioners on May 7 that required lane widenings, sidewalk/trail additions and two traffic signals serving the new Morgan High School on Westlake Road are underway and are scheduled to be in service by the August 11 start of classes.
County staff told the Hillsborough County Board on May 7 that construction and signal work intended to support the new Morgan High School is underway and that staff expects the improvements to be completed before the new school year begins.
Adam Gormley of the Development Services Department said the School Board is responsible for building a traffic signal at the school entrance, widening Westlake Road along the school frontage to 11‑foot lanes and providing a 10‑foot multi‑purpose trail. Developer Lennar Homes is responsible for widening the remainder of Westlake Road between SR 674 and Bishop Road and has committed to install an additional signal at SR 674 and Westlake through a mobility fee agreement.
“Improvements to Westlake Road from Bishop Road to just north of the high school have been completed,” Gormley said. He added that foundations for the school signal and for the SR 674/Westlake signal are being poured and that road work is expected to be completed by mid‑July with signal work anticipated before students start classes on August 11.
Gormley told commissioners that the signal installation requires removal of a TECO pole and that the relocation will require an easement on adjacent private property; easement language is with the property owner’s attorney. He said county staff and Lennar have established biweekly meetings with TECO to track and facilitate the work.
Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda, who requested the staff update, thanked staff for the “comprehensive update” and said the schedule was important given the school will eventually serve about 3,500 students at capacity and handle dozens of school buses. Commissioner Christine Miller asked for another report in July or an interim memo if the July calendar does not permit another meeting so the board can confirm mitigation plans if any elements slip past the start of school.
Staff said they will return updates and can issue a memo if needed to meet the board’s timing requests.
