Lighting, Landscaping, and Traffic at Rte 41 and Gran Paradiso

Lighting, landscaping, and traffic at Route 41/Tamiami Trail and the entrances to Gran Paradiso and Islandwalk were hot topics at the last West Villages Improvement District [WVID] meeting on January 14^th. The uplighting on landscaping has mostly been repaired or replaced, and the remainder is waiting on equipment delivery estimated to be sometime in late February to mid-March. Sod replacement along the corridor was also priced and options discussed, but such a large project requires ongoing discussion and possibly multiple bids. In the meantime, one developer’s representative requested that expediting replacement around just the entrances be considered, and that seemed to receive favor. The most divisive issue of the day, though, was that of traffic and landscaping within the median along 41.

Apparently, many Islandwalk residents are having a challenging time exiting the community onto Route 41 when making a left-hand turn to go northward. I had not thought about the issue prior to the meeting, but it does make sense. Generally, I am in and out of the Gran Paradiso community, and so had not noticed the issue before. But, I did visit Islandwalk recently to get information on their new floorplans, and when leaving, I turned right then made a U-turn in order to head north. I didn’t think much of it at the time (because I am such a ‘granny driver’ myself and do that kind of thing often), but it does frame much of the discussion from the WVID meeting.

Gran Paradiso residents would not face as many traffic challenges at the entrance, because heading North - where the closest stores and such are - is a right-hand turn with the traffic. Islandwalk residents have to cross one lane of traffic (traveling at 55mph in that section) and then compete with Gran Paradiso motorists to turn onto the northbound lanes. Even though this does not seem at first to be a Gran Paradiso resident issue, the growth of Gran Paradiso community is cited as a factor and the suggested solutions do impact Gran Paradiso residents. So, it is important that Gran Paradiso residents and interested parties be aware of the topic and discussions.

Casey Gant, Community Association Manager for Islandwalk’s HOA, sent a request in December to the WVID District Manager, Todd Wodraska, regarding requesting a traffic light installation and that all of the landscaping in the median be removed to improve sight lines in the meantime. At that time also, a warrant study as to whether lighting along the corridor would be justified was already underway. Mr. Wodraska responded to the request stating that a warrant study for a stoplight at the intersection would be recommended at the WVID meeting, but that preliminary expert review indicated that meeting multiple warrants to get it approved was unlikely at this time. He went on to say that the vegetation in the median met sight line guidelines, but it would also be reviewed in greater detail.

At the meeting, the debate on the concerns with what to do about the landscaping in the median and overall traffic problems was a little contentious. There were, of course, many views of how to address the dilemma: leave landscaping alone, remove some of it, remove all of it, paint traffic lanes on the pavement, install signage, and install a traffic light. Of course traffic issues and lighting along 41 are ultimately decisions for the DOT and not at the discretion of District Supervisors or residents.

Some improvement has been made, though. After the median landscaping was reviewed by District Supervisors prior to the meeting, the vegetation was trimmed back significantly, and it was determined that a more frequent maintenance schedule for the landscaping is justified going forward. So, at this time, removal of the landscaping that makes that section of the highway so lovely is not going to happen. It will, however, be more frequently maintained, which should make it look even more manicured in the future. Pavement striping possibilities will be evaluated. And, despite the fact that a light at the intersection does not seem to be warranted at this time, Mr. Wodraska indicated that he believes it certainly will be justified at some point in the future (with the continued community growth). He did nevertheless recommend that a full warrant study be conducted right away, just in case, and that was unanimously approved.

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