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Student asks for sidewalks near three Wesley Chapel schools; MPO advisory committees press for multiuse paths on SR‑54
Summary
A Thomas E. Waitman Middle School student urged Pasco County leaders to add sidewalks near three Wesley Chapel schools; MPO advisory committees separately recommended multiuse paths and safety measures for the SR‑54/US‑41 area and for an overpass to be three lanes.
During the public-comment portion of the Pasco County MPO Board meeting on Jan. 9, a student asked the board to extend sidewalks near multiple schools and advisory committees reported safety-focused recommendations.
Joshua Patrick, a student at Thomas E. Waitman Middle School, told the board he is leading the "Josh R. Patrick Sidewalk Project," asking for sidewalks along Wells Road, Curley Road and Boyette Road within a two-mile boundary of Thomas E. Waitman Middle School, Wesley Chapel High School and Wesley Chapel Elementary School. "I believe that every school in Pasco County should have these, but especially Waitman Middle School, Wesley Chapel High School, and Wesley Chapel Elementary School, because that is the most dangerous one that I've seen so far," Patrick said, describing narrow shoulders, a student riding a bike in a one-foot gap, and drivers swerving into turn lanes.
The MPO’s advisory committees echoed pedestrian and bicycle safety concerns later in the meeting. Sandra Graves, speaking for the Citizens Advisory Committee, said the CAC approved a letter for an FDOT TIP amendment and requested landscaping or aesthetic treatments for projects as they proceed.
Cynthia Spiedel, representing the Technical Advisory Committee, said the TAC had closely reviewed the State Road 54/US 41 interchange and raised a particular concern about the lack of multiuse paths on both sides of the 54 segment. "At a minimum to see a multiuse path on one side of the road ... at most we would prefer multiuse paths on both," Spiedel said, adding the TAC asked FDOT to consider buffering and natural protections for pedestrians and bicyclists and voted to submit a letter to FDOT.
Brian Michaels, chair of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, said BPAC recommended the proposed overpass be built with three lanes instead of two and noted nighttime visibility of pedestrians as a separate safety concern. "There is a written recommendation from BPAC with several bullet points on why we need three lanes on that overpass," Michaels said.
Board members acknowledged the student’s presentation and expressed support for follow-up; one staff member said Commissioner Waitman would follow up. There was no board vote on the sidewalk request at the Jan. 9 meeting.
The committees said they will forward formal letters and recommendations to FDOT and MPO staff for incorporation into project review and public hearing processes.
