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 14th. 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.
