Analysis & photographs by Joel Provenzano
As all of us keep in mind all too vividly, Hurricane Milton, which was a Class 5 tropical cyclone when it made landfall close to Siesta Key on Oct. 9 of final 12 months, was the primary hurricane in many years (or possibly ever) to make a direct hit on the Wesley Chapel space later that day and trigger widespread injury and flooding.
The after-effects of Milton continued to be felt for a lot of weeks and, among the many casualties of that storm have been dozens of roadway indicators that have been knocked down and/or destroyed — a few of which nonetheless haven’t been changed now almost 10 months later (highlighted in pink in each footage, above).
Pasco County Media Relations & Communications public data officer Sarah Andeara says, nevertheless, that the county’s Visitors Operations & Public Works departments, “have repaired all damages and changed all signage on county roads that have been broken by Hurricane Milton. Visitors Operations changed roughly 40 overhead indicators and visitors indicators, noting that every overhead illuminated road title signal prices roughly $3,700.”
At our press time, Andeara didn’t know what number of post-mounted indicators have been mounted through the Public Works division, however stated that for any lacking indicators on state roads — together with S.R.s 56 and 54 — the Florida Division of Transportation (or FDOT)’s District 7 is finally answerable for the substitute of these indicators.
It’s additionally essential to notice that, in contrast to visitors sign “heads,” every of the indicators — that are essential for tourism, emergency response and native companies — needs to be custom-designed.
FDOT transportation engineer Megan Arasteh says, “The Division has inventoried the broken indicators via area visits, and designed the brand new indicators if as-builts weren’t out there, and is within the means of securing the funds for manufacturing the indicators.”
Arasteh additionally famous that, “The estimated timeframe to finish signal replacements all through District 7 is roughly one 12 months. It takes FDOT about one hour to design every signal if as-builts usually are not out there. The manufacturing course of requires a minimal lead time of 4 months, and every signal set up takes roughly three hours.”
As for what number of indicators FDOT wants to exchange in our space, Arasteh says, “A minimal of 16 indicators can be changed in Wesley Chapel, nineteen indicators whole in Pasco County, and 203 indicators whole in all of District 7,” which additionally contains New Tampa.
Arasteh additionally notes that, “FDOT not too long ago accomplished the method of buying federal funds to exchange these indicators. The Federal Freeway Administration (FHWA) requires a Detailed Injury Inspection Report (DDIR) for approval of funding. FDOT started the method in December 2024. The report included particulars of the hurricane injury and footage. FHWA accredited the funds this month. As you’ll be able to think about with the extent of the injury because of Hurricane Milton, FHWA has had a really massive variety of DDIRs to evaluation and approve, [and] they’ve been a terrific useful resource to work intently with the Division all through this course of. Dist. 7 Visitors Operations is now engaged on a brand new contract that can promote for bids in about two months for signal substitute.”
As for value, Arasteh says, “The associated fee varies to exchange every signal. Based mostly on FDOT’s statewide averages for indicators, the price is roughly $7,500, not together with design, upkeep of visitors and mobilization. A vendor will manufacture the indicators on behalf of FDOT and Pasco County will set up the indicators.
Now, two months into the 2025 hurricane season, the hope right here is that the work can be accomplished earlier than our space takes one other main hit.
