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Student Asks County For Moon Lake Road Sidewalks

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: December 2, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A River Ridge Middle School student asked county officials today to build sidewalks or bike lanes along Moon Lake Road so he and his friends can ride their bicycles to school.

The student, Corey Smith, provided copies to commissioners of his extensive research on the sidewalk or bike path construction request, complete with aerial maps.

Moon Lake Road is scheduled to be widened, but the county has put off the project until 2022, Corey reminded commissioners.

Most such road improvement projects include sidewalks but, Corey noted, he would be 26 by the time the Moon Lake Road widening project is completed on the current schedule.

Instead of waiting, the county might be able get money from the Safe Routes to Schools program to pay for sidewalks along Moon Lake Road, Corey said. The student outlined where crosswalks and street lights would be needed.

"Walking and biking to schools also reduces the number of cars on the road and saves gas," Corey said.

The Safe Routes program recently supplied $298,000 to build 8-foot-wide sidewalks in areas around Gulf Highlands Elementary School, in the Bayonet Point area, Commission Chairman Jack Mariano noted.

Carl Orth can be reached at 727-815-1068 or corth@suncoastnews.com.

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