[wmcgowan]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

Yes, perhaps vague may not have been the most accurate of words to use. Certainly there is a lack of transparency and forthrightness about the schedule changes. The January 2020 was clearly an advertising push, then to slide in the back handed announcement of April/May was an "oh by the way", a month ago it was the bridges would be "set" in 2020 (the Brownwood bridge has been set since Aug 22 2019) was a deliberate choice of words for appeasement, last weeks announcement is as stated above not that the connectivity will be in place, only that the bridges would be done. All made with carefully chosen words if one listens, and never making a commitment.

I could talk at length of the carefully planned building of the 2nd Warm Springs span over the turnpike, its timing and the timing of pushing for improvement of the US301 exit , subsequent reclaiming of the donated land for the exit, and then rapidly submitted permitting for the current work on all 4 corners forever ending the exit debate. This was all a very carefully played game of chess for which The Villages are Grand Masters of the game.

The connecting to Brownwood is obviously an unavoidable problem for them now, but using the Warm Springs bridge as I've described quickly puts to rest the "Connectivity" issue. You can get to Brownwood from Rohan via Morse-Hillsborough Trail-Buena Vista, but it may add a few minutes to the trip.

A final thought, does it make sense that they would put two shopping and commercial areas so close (opposite side of the turnpike) and then require a huge detour just to get across the turnpike. From Magnolia Plaza to the Water Lily bridge then back to Warm Springs Avenue is the equivalent distance of trying to cross 466 at Laurel Manner to get to the Saddlebrook course by going all the way down to the High School and crossing and then coming back. Or going south to the Baxley bridge is like trying to cross 466 at Morse by going down to Bob Evans West of Buena Vista and back. Neither route seems a viable option and connectivity as I've proposed is a logical conclusion that avoids these protracted detours.

We shall see what time brings, if it happens then you know where you heard it first. If it doesn't then I'm wrong, but don't tell my wife or I'll never live it down.

Don - just keep doing what you do! Thank you for the postings - it takes a lot of work to put these packages together.