Just past its intersection with Cravemoor Drive, Mansfield Boulevard in Wesley Chapel comes to a dead end.

Feet away from that, across a patch of grass, is the beginning of Kinnan St. in Hillsborough County’s New Tampa. Hillsborough County lawmakers are trying to bridge that gap.

  • Offers to make multiple connections made in the past
  • Some residents fear additional traffic connections would create
  • Mansfield Boulevard has three area schools on it

On February 21, county commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the county attorney’s office to look into legal options, including eminent domain, to connect the roads. The push is led by District 5 Commissioner Ken Hagan.

“The Kinnan St/Mansfield Blvd connection will greatly benefit both Pasco and Hillsborough County residents from a quality of life, traffic congestion, and public safety perspective," Hagan said in a statement. "It is simply outrageous and inexcusable that for over a decade, Pasco County has refused to make this connection. As a result of their inaction, the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office is exploring all legal options in an attempt to force Pasco County to make this badly needed connection.”

“In the past, there were offers made by Pasco County to make multiple connections,” said Pasco County District 2 Commissioner Mike Moore said. “The response from Tampa was they weren’t ready to do that at the time.”

As for the possibility of eminent domain, Moore said, “I think the ‘eminent domain’ statement is ridiculous, in my opinion.”

Moore said Hillsborough County was invited to be part of a study Pasco is nearing the end of that’s looking at the impact connecting the counties at Kinnan/Mansfield and other spots, including Meadow Pointe Boulevard, would have on surrounding areas. He said Hillsborough declined and Pasco is fully funding the study.

Among concerns Moore said he’s hearing from constituents are the stress extra traffic could add to neighborhoods, particularly along Mansfield Boulevard, where there are three schools.

“Oh, it would be a gridlock. It would be absolute gridlock,” said Wesley Chapel resident Jan Roberts. “During school traffic times, it’s crazy. I have to work out my schedule right now on leaving at times when there aren’t school bells.”

New Tampa resident Ben is more open to the idea.

“It seems like it would be really nice for us traffic-wise for this to connect,” he said. “If you’re just trying to go, basically, from Kinnan to Bruce B. Downs, you wouldn’t actually have to hit that Bruce B. Downs traffic. Seems like most of the traffic is gridlocked at that Bruce B. Downs and Cross Creek area.”

Moore said Pasco’s study is expected to wrap up in May and will be followed by public meetings to discuss the results.