Long-Anticipated Ridge Road Extension Opens in Pasco County

Two lanes open; two more set to open in 2022

The Pasco Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce Phase One of the long-anticipated Ridge Road Extension is now open! Pasco County Engineering Services team members directed drivers onto one eastbound lane and one westbound lane December 31, 2021, marking a milestone more than two decades in the making. The 4.2-mile section of roadway connects Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway. For now, drivers will have access to the ramps heading south onto the Suncoast and west onto Ridge Road. The two additional lanes of Phase One, the northern access ramps, and the paved pedestrian trail are all set to open in Fall 2022.

“The impact the Ridge Road Extension will have on our community is tremendous,” said Board Chair Kathryn Starkey. “This much-needed eastwest roadway will help reduce traffic on other thoroughfares in Pasco County and will also serve as a critical evacuation route during hurricanes. We’re thrilled it’s finally open,” she said.

Click HERE to see drone video of the entire 4.2- mile stretch of the Ridge Road Extension between Moon Lake Road and the Suncoast Parkway: bit. ly/3pjHxkQ

The new road includes 16 bridges and 15 upland wildlife crossings designed to maintain habitat continuity and reduce wetland impact within the Serenova Preserve by 83 percent. The project will improve evacuation time from Pasco’s coastal evacuation zone by nearly 30 percent – or more than six hours.

Construction on Phase Two of the Ridge Road Extension continues, with sections slated to be finished between 2022 and 2025. Phase Two will continue the connection 0.24 miles from the Suncoast Parkway to Sunlake Boulevard and then another 3.75 miles to U.S. Highway 41.

To learn more about the Ridge Road Extension Project, please visit: bit. ly/RidgeRoadProject

Pasco Board of County Commissioners Undergoes Reorganization

BCC names new Chair/Vice-Chair

The Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC) reorganized at its regular meeting December 7, 2021, in New Port Richey. The board elected Commissioner Kathryn Starkey to serve as board chair and Commissioner Jack Mariano to serve as vice chair.

“It’s an honor to have been appointed the new chair,” Starkey said. “I’m proud of what the board has accomplished so far and look forward to continuing our work to make Pasco County the best place to live, work and play.”

The BCC consists of the following members:

Commissioner Ron Oakley, District 1

Commissioner Mike Moore, District 2

Chair Kathryn Starkey, District 3

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick, District 4

Vice Chair Jack Mariano, District 5

The BCC also voted to adopt new county commission districts as required every 10 years following the U.S. Census. There are five commission districts in Pasco County, and each is nearly equal in proportion to population size. The new districts went into effect December 7, 2021.

To find out which county commissioner represents you, click here: bit.ly/CommissionDistricts.

County Commission meetings are usually held every other Tuesday, alternating between the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey and the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. All Pasco BCC meetings are streamed online and broadcast on Pasco TV.