Residents of Hernando Beach learned on Thursday, April 29, 2021 the possible ways that engineers will attack the problem of stormwater drainage along Calienta street. Flooding has been a problem for the roadway since it lacks elevated curbs, sidewalks and other features that drain away standing water.
Director of Public Works and County Engineer Scott Herring, along with representatives of Cardno presented options that will improve stormwater drainage and invited questions from the community. Cardno is an international engineering company working with the county on the design plans and ultimate construction of this project and others.
One major feature is the addition of a sidewalk on the west side of Calienta, beginning at Shoal Line Boulevard and ending at Flamingo Road. A sidewalk on the east side is not possible due to a lack of right-of-way on the opposite side of Calienta.
While a dedicated bike lane is not possible, “shared lane markings” are planned along the roadway. The current speed limit along Calienta is 30 MPH, allowing for the sharing of the roadway with cyclists and motorists. Widened travel lanes are also being considered, however property lines are not to be affected.
“It’s going to be the same feel with a slightly different look,” a Cardno representative told the crowd of approximately 30 local residents at the Coast Guard Auxiliary Building. He added that they are proposing “curb and gutter” along travel lanes that will provide a barrier to ponding water, and guide it to the waterway to become one with the Gulf of Mexico.
A large part of the plan is the reconstruction of Petit Lane. Currently, Petit Lane runs diagonally from Shoal Line to Calienta Street, creating an extreme sharp turn from Petit onto Calienta. The new design will extend Petit Lane from Flamingo to Shoal Line Blvd, creating a natural 90-degree turn with better visibility. A retention pond is planned for the “triangle” formed by the existing Petit Lane orientation.
The remaining part of Petit Lane that extends eastward from Shoal Line Blvd. will be considered for pedestrian traffic since it leads to the Weeki Wachee Preserve.
The engineers had originally planned for a roundabout to control traffic at the intersection of Petit and Flamingo, however a nearby Lift Station would be impacted by this configuration, so a traditional “four legged” intersection will be formed.
As this was a public workshop, design plans are expected to be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners in the near future. The Hernando Sun will follow future updates.
