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Turn Left Right Where?

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By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 22, 2007

FOREST HILLS - Whether it's awkward three-way stops, roads that break into right angles such as Armenia Avenue or Forest Hills Drive, or roads that literally go in circles - Cliff Circle - navigating through Forest Hills can be tricky, even for longtime residents.

Steve Landrum has lived in the community for a year and a half and has been in Tampa since 1968. He says he knows Tampa and Hillsborough County roads 'very, very well,' especially since he has mapped roadways as part of his 30-year career with the city.

Yet Landrum, now retired at 65, says navigating Forest Hills still throws him off.

'I get confused with roads along the golf course,' he said.

He figures the Babe Zaharias Golf Course likely accounts for many of the neighborhood's snaking roads, 'especially with roads named Bogey Drive and Underpar Drive,' Landrum said.

Kennie Sims, a spokesman from the golf course, which opened in 1926, said 'The Babe' does factor into the roads. After many years in disrepair, the golf course was reopened by the city in 1974, and major renovations were completed in 2004.

Sims said an original plan in Forest Hills included a better routing plan for roads, but 'that never got done.'

For example, he said Elbow Drive begins and ends at several places, and there are essentially two Elbow Drives. But that wasn't part of the original routing.

However, Sims and Landrum said they give simple and precise directions within Forest Hills, so their visitors don't usually run into problems.

'Most folks who haven't been here know golf courses usually aren't sitting on main roads like McDonald's,' Sims said. 'Also, they can call us, and we guide them in easily.'

Traffic notes

Two ongoing projects outside Forest Hills continue to affect Carrollwood traffic.

The Anderson Road and Waters Avenue intersection will remain active with construction crews through mid-February. Drainage improvements, traffic signals, road widening and utility relocation are part of the intersection's make-over.

Just south of there on Anderson, stormwater improvements continue until Oct. 31.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS?

Are there local traffic or road issues that concern you? Construction projects you wonder about, or hazards other drivers should know about? If so, contact reporter Harold Valentine at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampa trib.com.

Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.

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