Hillsborough County residents interested in learning about ongoing public works projects in the unincorporated parts of the county now can find that information on the county's website.
Steve Valdez, the county's public works manager, says the object was to provide the public a less-expensive, more-streamlined method of keeping up with ongoing and upcoming projects.
"It came together because in the past we were paying each one of our engineering consultant firms to do this, and they all looked different, had different ways of presenting the information," Valdez says. "We needed a uniform approach. We were able to very efficiently put this up much cheaper than it was to pay consultants."
The website's project status feature, which went live in January, gives residents a one-stop site for project overviews, construction schedules, traffic shifts and potential delays. Also available are the same informational videos presented during public meetings.
In addition, comments or concerns can be submitted via the website up to two weeks after a public meeting.
The first two projects to be listed were the Bruce B. Downs Boulevard expansion in New Tampa and the Racetrack Road project in northwest Hillsborough County.
The site will include all major Public Works Department projects in the future, Valdez says, including storm water projects, intersection improvements and widening of roadways.
Writer: Carter Gaddis
Source: Steve Valdez, Hillsborough County
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