Safety Improvements Planned On Roads Near Walker Middle School

ODESSA, FL — Hillsborough County is working to improve safety and traffic circulation around Walker Middle School on North Mobley Road near Gunn Highway in north Hillsborough County.

Many of the communities around schools in Hillsborough County have grown over the years, requiring a fresh look at the roadways around the schools. The improvements at Walker Middle include a paved shoulder for staged drop-off/pick-up vehicular traffic along eastbound North Mobley Road.

The project area includes North Mobley Road from east of Gunn Highway to the westernmost school entrance driveway.

North Mobley Road is a two-lane undivided roadway with a posted speed limit of 35 mph that provides access to Walker Middle School, Hammond Elementary School, residential areas and businesses.

Elements of the project include:

• Construction of an 8-foot-wide paved shoulder and a 2-foot-wide unpaved shoulder along the south side of North Mobley Road.
• Drainage improvements including the construction of a new ditch along the south side of the road, new culverts at driveways and installation of a new pipe under North Mobley Road to move water from the proposed new ditch into Little Lake on the north side of North Mobley Road.
• Construction of a new 6-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the new drainage ditch, to enhance walkability.
• Milling and resurfacing the existing asphalt pavement and adding new signage and pavement markings.

Land acquisition will be necessary for the proposed improvements. Land acquisition and design are anticipated to be complete in mid-2023. Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2024 and be complete by mid-2024.

A virtual public engagement on the project is available until Wednesday, Nov. 9, for residents to provide feedback about the project.

The county is conducting a virtual engagement using the Hillsborough Engagement Hub to inform the public of the safety and mobility improvements project/ Visit HCFLGov.net/HCEngage to participate.