Pasco to update traffic studies

Staffing shortages and Y2K snags have delayed studies. Now, officials say it's time to determine which intersections are most dangerous.

By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 16, 2002

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DADE CITY -- The county is working to bring traffic studies up to speed after a report showed that it is 21/2 years behind on collecting data to determine dangerous patterns.

County Administrator John Gallagher told commissioners that he had not known the extent of the problem and was exploring methods to make reports current.

"I didn't realize it was so far back behind," Gallagher said Tuesday. "But we're going to get it up to date as soon as we can."

A story in Sunday's Pasco Times reported that the county has not compiled data about the location or cause of accidents going back 21/2 years. Without that information, the county has not been able to pinpoint dangerous roads or apply for state money to fix them.

Last year, fatalities on Pasco County's roads reached a record 107.

Bob Reck, the county's traffic operations manager, blamed the data collection plight on staffing shortages and Y2K problems.

Commissioner Peter Altman brought up the issue Tuesday during the commission's weekly meeting at the Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City by asking if his colleagues would be willing to move staff members around to help.

While the commission didn't reach a consensus on his point, others brought up questions and suggestions.

Commissioner Steve Simon offered the idea of using a Microsoft database.

"All it takes is taking a database and changing the record form," he said. "We have people who can do this."

In other business, the commission agreed to hold the second and final public hearing about impact fees for parks and recreation at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 29 at the West Pasco Government Center.

St. Petersburg Times

-- Anonymous, January 17, 2002