06/03/2023
A concerned Homeowner from a neighboring community has asked me to forward his response to the commissioners regarding the road change proposal. The deadline to act is June 30th. He states many great viewpoints, one of which is the impact to medical emergencies. He also states different alternatives.
Please take time to read his letter and determine if you would like to email the listed commissioners at the bottom of the letter regarding your own opinion on the impact this will have to your community.
Since our egress has no plans that I am aware of as an alternate exit and we and Somerset are most impacted by the distance we travel on this road, I do feel every one should consider responding with a voice. There must be a way to add a bike lane and still keep our roads the same speed limit without humps.
LETTER TO Krista;
Thank you for hosting the Williamsburg Traffic Study meeting on Wednesday, 05/31, at Freedom High School. I appreciate Mohammed Abdullah’s clear & detailed presentation.
I am writing to express my opposition to 2 major proposals for the South Quadrant: Orangewood Blvd., Central Florida Parkway (CFP) to Deer Creek Dr. The South Quadrant doesn’t have cut-through traffic issues like the North Quadrant, north of CFP. South Orangewood Blvd. dead ends at Sandy Hill Dr. There is only one way in. There is only one way out.
Your recent study documented that most vehicle traffic in the South Quadrant is traveling below 41 mph. Our major annoyance is loud muffler noise levels from vehicles. Sorry, but there is no pill for “stupid.” I applaud Commissioner Wilson’s support for updating noise level ordinances.
I support proposals north of CFP: leaving the 4 travel lanes, south to Orangewood Blvd. & CFP.
Stop the madness! The proposal, while well-intentioned, will decrease safety & lifestyle for residents in the South Quadrant. You are taking a tolerable situation that needs tweaking – & conducting major unjustified surgery – therefore, wasting taxpayer dollars.
South Quadrant residents already pay monthly dues for ambience: pools, tennis courts, etc.
Your proposal adds trees & shrubbery. HOAs already pay huge costs for maintaining the Orangewood Blvd. median. Isn’t it past time that this responsibility be returned to the county?
A. ORANGE COUNTY EXISTING PROPOSALS for the South Quadrant:
• Reduce from 4 lanes to 2 lanes traffic – one lane in each direction – from Publix (near Norman H. Cutson Dr.), south to Deer Creek Dr.
1. CONCLUSION: I oppose these two major proposals:
• Existing 4 travel lanes would be reduced to 2 travel lanes – only one lane in each direction.
• The two existing outside travel lanes would be repurposed to 7’ wide bike lanes
2. YOUR PROPOSAL: 2 travel lanes (not the existing 4) – 10’ wide; separated by a 30’ median; with the following on either side of the two travel lanes: 3’ separators; 7’ wide protected bike lanes; 6’ wide grass strips; & 6’ wide sidewalks.
3. RESULT: Your study showed that most vehicles are now traveling below 41 mph. You propose lowering the posted limit to 35 mph, installing Speed Cushions & mini roundabouts.
• With only one lane each way:
– Slower drivers cannot move to the right lane. Leading to tailgating & road rage incidents.
– Driver frustration will increase because of long backup delays.
– Emergency vehicles will face increased delays.
– In disasters, residents will have only one lane for egress. You are decreasing our safety levels.
4. CONCLUSION: I support these 4 proposals:
• Post new signs lowering speeds from 40 to 35 mph
• Install new Speed Advisory (flashing signs) feedback signs
• Install new enhanced pavement markings
• Install 2 new mini-roundabouts to reduce speed
5. CONCLUSION: I oppose these 4 proposals:
• Install new protected bike lanes (on either side)
• Install new Speed Cushions to reduce speed – forcing vehicles to slow to 15 mph
• Install new trees & shrubs
• Continue requiring HOAs to maintain landscaping medians & green areas south of CFP
B. ANALYSIS OF WILLIAMSBURG NEIGHBORHOODS:
• Total households: 1,757 – multiple vehicles & drivers per households
• Deer Creek HOA: 553 households
• Somerset HOA: 401 households
• Parkview Pointe HOA: 579 households
• Waterview Reserve HOA: 224 households
C. COMPARISON OF SIMILAR NEIGHBORHOOD TRAVEL LANES: I invite residents & county officials to drive through nearby neighborhoods. I regularly travel the below roads. Most drivers obey posted limits.
1. Whisper Lakes Blvd. (John Young Parkway to Orange Blossom Trail)
• 4 lanes – 2 lanes each way, separated by a median, pedestrian sidewalks only
• Posted limit is 40 mph, with Speed Advisory feedback signs only
2. Wetherbee Rd. (Orange Blossom Trail to Boggy Creek Rd.)
• 4 lanes – 2 lanes each way, separated by a median, pedestrian sidewalks only
• Posted limit is 45 mph, with Speed Advisory feedback signs only; two school zones
3. Tavistock Lakes Blvd. (Lake Nona Blvd. to Narcoossee Rd.)
• 2 lanes only – 1 lane in each direction, no median, pedestrian sidewalks only
• Posted limit is 25 mph, with Speed Cushions & stop signs
• Often, frustrated drivers tailgate & cross the center line to buzz around slower vehicles
D. MY RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE USES OF FUNDING:
1. Extend / install the following turn lanes from Central Florida Parkway (CFP):
• (headed west on CFP) extend existing left turn lane onto South Orangewood Blvd.
• (headed west on CFP) add new right turn lane onto North Orangewood Blvd.
• (headed east on CFP) add new right turn lane onto South Orangewood Blvd.
• (headed east on CFP) extend existing left turn lane onto North Orangewood Blvd.
2. Additional recommendations – extend / install turn lanes from North Orangewood Blvd.:
• (headed south on North Orangewood Blvd.) extend existing left turn lane onto CFP
• (headed south on North Orangewood Blvd.) add new right turn lane onto CFP
Note: You plan to make the outside lane “right turn only.” Vehicles turning left or right will totally block the one remaining southbound lane. You will be creating a worse bottleneck.
3. Additional recommendation – instead of wasting millions to reduce travel lanes (from 4 to 2 lanes) in the South Quadrant, replace the county’s lead water service lines.
• A recent EPA study found that lead service lines – a "significant source" of lead contamination – carry drinking water to homes throughout the US.
• Florida leads the nation with an estimated 1.16 million lead pipes, accounting for 12.62% of the country's total makeup.
(Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/.../epa-more-than-9-million-lead.../)
I appreciate the opportunity to submit this documentation for consideration prior to the final decision in late June or July.
Sincerely,
__________
Email to (06/01/23):
• Krista Taraszewski, project manager, Transportation Planning Division, 407-836-8014: [email protected]
• Ayman Saidi, P.E., consultant project manager, 407-531-5332, [email protected]
• Commissioner Nicole H. Wilson: [email protected]"
