TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Traffic Plagues Community

ADVERTISEMENT

By HAROLD VALENTINE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 14, 2008

TAMPA - Tony Santoro said he is at a loss over what to do about the fast traffic just outside the door of his Lutz home.

For 27 years, Santoro has lived on Vandervort Road, which is a cut-through between Livingston Avenue and Hanna Road. With a 35-mph speed limit, he said, drivers young and old, male and female frequently tend to ignore the limit.

Santoro said he calls the straight, less-than-a-mile-long road "Daytona West."

"Somebody's going to get hurt; that's the problem," Santoro said.

He said he has seen cars pass school buses twice, despite the road's double lines, at speeds he guessed to be more than 60 mph.

During an 18-year period, Santoro said, he has contacted the county and the sheriff's office many times in an attempt for some sort of traffic calming - "whatever slows the traffic down."

He said his attempts for speed bumps twice have been unsuccessful, adding that the sheriff's office suggested driver feedback signs, which reflect a driver's speed.

But Santoro said the sheriff's office does not have any extra signs that work.

"What can I do?" Santoro said. "I can't sit out there with a red flag."

Drainage Meeting

The county is holding a public meeting in Forest Hills regarding installation of a drainage pipe in the neighborhood. The pipe is intended to alleviate flooding at the Forest Hills Drive and Curve Road intersection.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the University Area Community Center, 14013 N 22nd St.

Residents are encouraged to attend. They can offer input or have questions answered.
Work Projects
Road work scheduled in the area includes:

•Verizon is working from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 21 at West Waters Avenue and Henderson Road and at Waters and Twelve Oaks Boulevard.

Also, on Gunn Highway, from Van Dyke to Wayne roads, Verizon is doing utilities work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 21.

And, work on Benjamin Road, from Flora Street to Johns Road, is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 21.

•On Henderson Road, between Linebaugh and Waters avenues, CSX and Hillsborough County are making railway repairs between rush hours until July 11. A detour will be available connecting Linebaugh to Anderson Road to West Waters Avenue.

•Raised crosswalks are being installed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Aug. 22 on MacFarland Road from Lacewood to Paldao roads; on Orange Grove Drive between Valencia Road and Hudson Lane; and on Carrollwood Drive, north and south of Lake Carroll Way.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS?

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

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT