Going out on a limb with S.R. 44

One of those days staring at a screen with starts and stops because I can’t decide on a single topic.

That means of course, the rambling blog…

— Construction starts Monday on the mother of all resurfacing projects — S.R. 44 between U.S. 41 in Inverness and the Sumter County line. That’s 6.7 miles and will take 18 months to complete.

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This project is close to the heart. Not that I have any warm and fuzzies about S.R. 44. Rather, the roadway is mere steps from the new Just Wright Citrus World Headquarters on the shores of Big Lake Henderson.

It’s not cheap: $22.2 million. More than simply resurfacing. We’ll get a long-awaited traffic signal at Gospel Island Road, and the state is going to create two left turn lanes on U.S. 41 at S.R. 44 to replace the single lane, which should help that bottleneck.

When I heard about the intersection reconfiguration, my mind immediately went to the majestic oak in the center island where 44 and 41 intersect. I asked City Manager Eric Williams about it, and he assured me the state would be very careful.

Sure enough, here’s what it says on the construction plans:

“Contractor is to use all caution to preserve and protect old oak tree… There is to be no cutting of roots or branches that could endanger the survival of this tree.”

FDOT District 7 spokeswoman Kris Carson said the contractor is hiring an arborist for the tree branch trimming.

“The Department is aware of the community’s affection for the tree and has planned the roadway work to protect this natural asset,” she said.

Thumbs up to the city and state for zeroing in on that vital detail.

— I’m a detail guy. I see something out of place; it raises my ire.

The state’s widening of U.S. 41 in Inverness necessitated refiguring where Montgomery Avenue intersections with 41. OK, fine.

Montgomery, which used to dead-end into a U.S. 41 business driveway, now lines up opposite Zephyr Street, creating a four-way intersection.

Here’s my beef: The state wants motorists to use Zephyr as a way onto 41 North from the Inverness side streets. Makes sense. Except at the signal, there’s no right turn lane. So, I come up Zephyr to turn right onto 41 at the light, and have to wait at the red light because the car in front of me is going straight.

That is simply poor planning. This signalized intersection didn’t exist until the state created it. FDOT couldn’t add a right turn lane on Zephyr so motorists can get out on the highway easier? What’s the point of creating the intersection if you’re not making it convenient for motorists?

I’m raising this point now to avoid a Suncoast Parkway/Crystal Oaks Drive scenario, where the state ignored an obvious safety issue until after the parkway was finished, then spent the next two years trying to fix it.

I’m guessing someone from the city is a liaison to the state on road projects. FDOT has concern for the old oak tree because someone in Inverness told the state not to touch it. A similar conversation should take place about Zephyr/Montgomery.

— I viewed the updated Betz Farm plans Wednesday. It’s about 1,500 homes and townhouses on 348 acres in area prone to flooding. Yes, please, let’s develop this as quickly as possible.

I continue to be totally dismayed at how a seemingly rational county government can see logic in this totally illogical move.

It’s purely a money grab for the county. A developer wants to hand us $6 million (admittedly, a lot of cash), and we’re going to let him do basically whatever he wants.

The thing that keeps raising my hackles is county commissioners sidestepping the public process.

Remember, the Betz Farm sale only goes down if the developer gets board approval of his plan and has all permits necessary to make it happen.

Technically, this project will go through the same development review and public hearings as any other land-use case. But, c’mon. Does anyone really believe the County Commission will do anything but roll over when it’s time to vote?

Here’s the language:

“Seller agrees to cooperate in any such required land-use filing.”

That sounds like a yes vote long before the public hearing process even starts.

This one carries an aroma, folks, that will not go away. 

That’s it for this Thursday. Enjoy it, friends.

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