Hillsborough County opens $51.7 million Citrus Park Drive extension

There is a new way around in western Hillsborough County.

The $51.7 million Citrus Park Drive extension opened to traffic this month connecting the Westchase community from Sheldon Road to Countryway Boulevard. It is a 2.73-mile section of four-lane, divided road with bike lanes and sidewalks.

The road, connecting the two existing segments of Citrus Park Drive, is intended to help accommodate future traffic demands in the northwest area of the county, including the neighborhoods within and around Westchase and Citrus Park.

The project provides a connection to other neighborhoods, as well as the Upper Tampa Bay Trail and Deer Park Elementary School. The new road also will alleviate traffic volumes on Linebaugh Avenue and S Mobley Road, the county said in a released statement..

New traffic signals are in place at the Fawn Ridge Boulevard intersection and at the entrance of Deer Park Elementary. The entrance to Deer Park Elementary also was redesigned to address pedestrian access and safety.

The project also included landscaped medians, drainage improvements, pedestrian safety features, and water and wastewater work.