By Kyle LoJacono
The extension of Collier Parkway past Hale Road has made travel easier for residents in the surrounding Land O’ Lakes neighborhoods, but soon after its opening Pasco County started getting complaints.
The problem was drivers did not seem to know what to do at the new four-way intersection of Collier and Hale. Pasco Chief Engineer Jim Widman said when the $2.5 million, 1.8-mile long extension of Collier opened earlier this year the county opted to make the newly formed crossing a four-way stop.
“We evaluated the amount of traffic that moves through the area while the construction was going on, and we found it too low to warrant adding a traffic signal,” Widman said. “When traffic volumes are low, a light isn’t needed, and it can actually slow down the people who are driving through if they get caught by the light.”
Widman said the county is monitoring the number of vehicles that pass through the intersection to see if levels increase to the point where a traffic signal is necessary.
Widman said people called and complained because many people traveling on Hale were not stopping at the new intersection. Widman said that confusion probably resulted from the way the roads were formally constructed.
Collier had ended at Hale before the extension opened and travelers had to stop at a stop sign to turn either left or right. Drivers on Hale did not have to stop where Collier ended, and Widman said those who had gotten used to that traffic pattern probably had been oblivious to the new four-way stop.
“It made a dangerous situation,” Widman said. “We’ve taken steps to add more signage to make the stop more visible to all drivers.”
Widman said the county also removed tree limbs and other plant growth that was blocking drivers’ view of the upcoming intersection.
There had also been complaints about drivers traveling in excess of the posted speed limits. Widman said the county monitored motorists for several weeks and found people were driving near the legal limits.
“People wanted speed bumps and other traffic control measures put in, but we couldn’t find much abuse of the posted speed limits,” Widman said.
For more information on the intersection improvements, call the Pasco Engineering Department at (727) 847-8140.
