Student project could make Pasco streets safer

TRINITY, Fla. - At last week's Pasco County commission meeting, two 8th graders came looking for answers.

Luccas Borges asked board members, "Do we have any approximate timeline for when the project might start or might be completed?"

The project is for sidewalks along busy Little Road in Trinity.

While most kids are driven to Seven Spring Middle and Mitchell High School, those who have to walk must navigate with no sidewalks in sight.

"It's not safe to be walking on the sides or in the road or even the shoulder of the road. It's just not safe," said Borges.

A group of students in a leadership class wanted to make it safer. They got the ball rolling on a plan to build sidewalks and add cross walks. That was four years ago.

"The longer things take, the more fire you have to get it started," said 8th grader Matt Sandoval.

There has been progress, but also many delays. That's why Borgres and Sandoval have taken over efforts to get  the job done.

"It really means a lot to me to have something, proof that I've been here so i can give something back to the school that I've been to for three years now," said Borges.

Mitchell High School principal Jim Michaels says he advises kids to stay off Little Road altogether. It's where one of his students, 15-year-old Cierra Mamonoff, died crossing the street in January.

"We look forward to the time when the kids can come out of the close by neighborhoods safely," said Michaels.

Luccas and Matt did get encouraging news from the county commission. They also got a pat on the back from board member Pat Mulieri.

"One person can make a difference, Margaret Mead said, in a group of dedicated citizens can change the world. So keep fighting for what you believe in," Mulieri told the boys during the meeting.

The goal for the original students who started this project was to see it through before they graduated. That likely won't happen. But the students now hope those sidewalks will be in place down Little Road in time for next school year.