Boyette Road construction in Riverview to see further delays

RIVERVIEW — For drivers who use Boyette Road, there's a dose of bad news: Construction in the area between McMullen Road and U.S. 301 is going to last a few more months.

The latest delay will be the third time the completion date has been changed on the project, which involves widening and making drainage improvements to the roads near Riverview High School.

"It'll be another two to three months. We've run into a bunch of utility obstacles," county spokesman Steve Valdez said.

The original completion date was supposed to be November 2008. The project got more complicated when retention ponds had to be added because property changed hands and a development in the area got scratched.

The delays will not add to the $66 million cost.

Tim Killebrew, the owner of TropicScapes Garden Center, has been enduring a narrower, two-lane road outside his business. Traffic backs up throughout the day in front of his business, which is just east of Riverview High School.

"There is a definite need for it," he said. "The traffic on this road every day, no matter what time of day, is tremendous. All it takes is for somebody to be turning, and all of a sudden it starts backing up."

Drivers aren't happy about the newest construction setback.

"Why is it taking so long?" fumed Robert Docher, 59, who lives in the Riverglen development off Boyette Road. "I'll be glad when it's finished, and I know they don't have a choice, but I can say that I'm pleased with what they've done with traffic control now."

For some drivers, traffic isn't the only inconvenience.

"I have to change my route just to get into work," said Jennifer Machison, 25, of Gibsonton. Machison avoids the construction, using Symmes and Balm Riverview roads to get to her job at a Boyette Road gas station.

"Not only is it affecting me, but the business as well. They've blocked off the entrance (from Boyette) at least three times already," Machison said.

Once work wraps up on the area near Riverview High, construction crews will move east on Boyette in early May. Plans call for the road to be widened from two lanes to four between McMullen and Bell Shoals roads.

Staff Writer Kevin Smetana contributed to this report.