Narrow Multi-Modal Paths

[Michael 61]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.

[Bilyclub]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.


Taking Micro Track/ Rolling Acres is an easy way to avoid a lot of the roundabouts when heading North by car. At least for now, until new planned developments are up.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.

The wooden plank bridge that goes over the swamp next to the Morse gate - the one where you have to stop at the driveway to the church before proceeding. That one is scary when it's raining. The big bridge into the Historic Section is fun though. My dad LOVED it, it's like a mini roller coaster!

I like the narrow lanes. It means people are less likely to pass me going 25 or more in their "tweaked" golf carts. I worry less about being run off the road, or being side-swiped, or having to deal with someone coming TOWARD us while someone is trying to pass me. Because we all tend to be more careful, and more considerate. We are more careful and more considerate because if we refuse to be, it could easily end up in death.

[coffeebean]

We live close enough to Spanish Springs to make the trip in a golf cart but we stay away also because the lanes are too narrow for us to feel comfortable. We did, however, make the trip from Mallory Square once in our cart. It wasn't raining at the time so going over the small wooden bridge was lovely. Going over the 441 bridge was a hoot as I love roller coasters. I screamed "wheeeeeeeeeee" as we descended to the historic section and did the same thing on the way back to the other side of 441.

[Altavia]

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[golfing eagles]

Nice report, that area does have a special charm.

Have you checked out Orange Blossom Opry?

You do realize that the Orange Blossom Oort is 10+ miles away from Orange Blossom Hills???

[golfing eagles]

Morse’s second law of MMPs: Your perception of narrow lanes is inversely proportional to your driving skills

[Laker14]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.

The MMP that borders the car lanes, on the bridge that takes you on Morse, between SLS and 466 is a tad narrow. And with the car traffic whizzing by a few feet from the northbound lane, I refer to the whole edifice as "The Bridge of Death". Since we live "between the 6s" and my favorite championship course is Tierra del Sol, I travel it fairly often.

I am more comfortable with it than I was at first, but I am still happy to have it behind me when I cross it.

[Brwne]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.

On a nice sunny day, try traveling up Buena Vista to Mulberry, grab lunch at the Back Porch, and head back. The paths are wider, there are no narrow bridges and only a few low ceiling tunnels. The path under 466, starting at Laurel Manor, and leading to the Saddlebrook Rec. Center, is very beautiful and tree lined.

Coming back, turn right at the Calumet gate and right, again, on Clearview, and that will take you to the First Responder's Rec. Center.

If you want to go to Spanish Springs, via Buena Vista, follow El Comino Real, just past the Savanah Rec. Center, and it will lead you there (the long way around!).

If you do venture up Morse again, trying going to the south end of Mira Mesa, there's a path that leads to the athletic fields and driving range on Rolling Acres.

Exploring The Villages is fun!

[Arctic Fox]

The MMP that borders the car lanes, on the bridge that takes you on Morse, between SLS and 466 is a tad narrow. And with the car traffic whizzing by a few feet from the northbound lane, I refer to the whole edifice as "The Bridge of Death".

We call that the "Causeway of Certain Death".

Other names going from the end of the causeway to the start of Morse north of 466 are:

"Turtle Tunnel" (under 466) - had to rescue a turtle there once
"Toad's Wild Ride" - the sharp turn and uphill section out of that tunnel
"Cutty Corner" - the newish twisty section where carts always cut the blind corner
"Possum Crossing" - leading on to the bridge - ghostly possum crossed our path one evening
"Bridge on the River Kwai"

[Altavia]

///

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You can't get to OB Opry by golf cart and isn't part of a Villages multi-modal path, so it really has nothing to do with this topic at all.

[jimdecastro]

Taking Micro Track/ Rolling Acres is an easy way to avoid a lot of the roundabouts when heading North by car. At least for now, until new planned developments are up.

While they're in a roundabouts, getting behind someone on the single lane road that's going 25 to 30 miles an hour is excruciating.

[jimdecastro]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.

The situation north of 466 on Morse Boulevard has been replicated further south from you below Sawgrass Grove. Trucks routinely go 60+ miles an hour and there is no traffic control for more than 4 miles

[jimdecastro]

Morse’s second law of MMPs: Your perception of narrow lanes is inversely proportional to your driving skills

And speed.

[msilagy]

Do not drive your golf cart like you are in a car and you should be fine. Yield until you have a very clear path to merge even if you have to stop before merging and all should be well.. Most killed pull out in front of cars that cannot stop. Old age, misguided distance, whatever, it can be a kiss of death!

[thelegges]

This my 3rd summer in TV, not sure why but no matter north or south, the carts on paths seem to be driving more erratic than usual. Driving down the center of mmp instead of their lane. It’s not like there is a car or curb to be afraid of. My guess if “I own this path, and nobody is going to pass me.

The paths along the road in the north are narrow, so I am finding while driving a car, many carts are driving on the line, or into car lane. Sometimes unexpectedly jerking into the cars path. Not young visitors, but very seasoned elderly cart drivers

[Bay Kid]

The scenic, safer way is to up to Glenview Country Club and take El Camino. Pretty cart ride and you avoid Morse Blvd.

[JGibson]

I know someone who went up on 2 wheels with their cart on LSL Bridge.

They hit the curb where the yellow paint was very faded at the time, and they have since repainted the edge of the curb.

If you didn't know the sidewalks don’t go continually over the bridge and a curb starts and stops at certain sections and it was dark I can see how this can happen.

She wasn't speeding because she is one of those folks who don't go over 15mph on the regular MMP. lol

That bridge was made with cost savings in mind and not necessarily safety.

[SIRE1]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.

You are correct about the narrow MMP north of 466. But before we say "WHY DID THEY MAKE THEM SO NARROW", we have to look at a little history first. When we started visiting friends in The Villages in 2000 none of the carts had headlights and all carts had to be home before sundown. And there wasn't a Lake Sumter Landing or anything south of 466. There was just a rumor that something might be going in "down south" but it was just farm land.

So there was only minimal cart traffic on Morse Blvd from the few neighborhoods near 466 and the cart path was adequate. And there was minimal auto traffic going out that gate so crossing Morse Blvd in a cart was no big deal. Then Lake Sumter Landing and all of the development to south happened and all the traffic increased to what it is today. But, what is there was great at the time it was built.

As far as the bridge over Lake Sumter Landing, our friends told me that the narrow cart path was the result of an incident around Tampa (at least I think it was Tampa) where a walker was hit by a car crossing the bridge. So after The Villages started building the bridge, the government changed the regulations and required sidewalks to be installed on all newly built bridges. Even though the bridge was designed with a Multi Modal Path, which includes people walking, they had to put in a sidewalk. That meant the space originally defined as a MMP had to be reduced to the width it is today. And you go from a nice wide MMP on land to a VERY narrow MMP on the bridge.

But if you still want to explore the northern end of The Villages someday, try going up Buena Vista instead. All the paths leading up to that area are nice and wide and the landscaping is really nice. The Buena Vista area was built around 2001 -2003 when The Villages kept improving from what they had learned from the neighborhoods built when they jumped 441 and built Spanish Springs. And if you haven't seen it yet, there is even a POLO Field up there. And you can get into Spanish Springs and the historic section by taking El Camino Real from Buena Vista. So it might be worth another trip to the north country. Just a thought.

[Halsiejan]

I’ve lived here 15 years and will never travel by golf cart on Morse north of 466. And since I lived here that cart path has been widen to what you see today. What a waste of money that was.

[Ken D.]

I believe golf "carts" were more narrow when they built the paths north of 466.

[Michael 61]

You are correct about the narrow MMP north of 466. But before we say "WHY DID THEY MAKE THEM SO NARROW", we have to look at a little history first. When we started visiting friends in The Villages in 2000 none of the carts had headlights and all carts had to be home before sundown. And there wasn't a Lake Sumter Landing or anything south of 466. There was just a rumor that something might be going in "down south" but it was just farm land.

So there was only minimal cart traffic on Morse Blvd from the few neighborhoods near 466 and the cart path was adequate. And there was minimal auto traffic going out that gate so crossing Morse Blvd in a cart was no big deal. Then Lake Sumter Landing and all of the development to south happened and all the traffic increased to what it is today. But, what is there was great at the time it was built.

As far as the bridge over Lake Sumter Landing, our friends told me that the narrow cart path was the result of an incident around Tampa (at least I think it was Tampa) where a walker was hit by a car crossing the bridge. So after The Villages started building the bridge, the government changed the regulations and required sidewalks to be installed on all newly built bridges. Even though the bridge was designed with a Multi Modal Path, which includes people walking, they had to put in a sidewalk. That meant the space originally defined as a MMP had to be reduced to the width it is today. And you go from a nice wide MMP on land to a VERY narrow MMP on the bridge.

But if you still want to explore the northern end of The Villages someday, try going up Buena Vista instead. All the paths leading up to that area are nice and wide and the landscaping is really nice. The Buena Vista area was built around 2001 -2003 when The Villages kept improving from what they had learned from the neighborhoods built when they jumped 441 and built Spanish Springs. And if you haven't seen it yet, there is even a POLO Field up there. And you can get into Spanish Springs and the historic section by taking El Camino Real from Buena Vista. So it might be worth another trip to the north country. Just a thought.

Thanks - still learning the geography north of 466 - I think I will try out the MMP on Buena Vista - I still need to check out First Responder’s Rec Center - so maybe that will be a golf cart ride there in my near future.

[Laker14]

Thanks - still learning the geography north of 466 - I think I will try out the MMP on Buena Vista - I still need to check out First Responder’s Rec Center - so maybe that will be a golf cart ride there in my near future.

Absolutely! You will notice differences between the MMPs as you travel from your 'hood to the northern boundaries of TV, but the Buena Vista trail, having been designed and developed after they learned a few things from the Morse Road development, is much nicer for cart exploration.

[Jeremy#1]

30 mph is the speed limit. Enjoy the ride!

[justjim]

While they're in a roundabouts, getting behind someone on the single lane road that's going 25 to 30 miles an hour is excruciating.

Retired now - why hurry? :posting:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

But if you still want to explore the northern end of The Villages someday, try going up Buena Vista instead. All the paths leading up to that area are nice and wide and the landscaping is really nice. The Buena Vista area was built around 2001 -2003 when The Villages kept improving from what they had learned from the neighborhoods built when they jumped 441 and built Spanish Springs. And if you haven't seen it yet, there is even a POLO Field up there. And you can get into Spanish Springs and the historic section by taking El Camino Real from Buena Vista. So it might be worth another trip to the north country. Just a thought.


You still have to go over the golf cart bridge to get to the historic section. There's no other way there by golf cart unless you cross 441. That's against the law, but doesn't seem to stop some folks.

[rogerk]

30 mph is the speed limit. Enjoy the ride!
Where did you see the speed limit on MMP is 30 mph? I believe FL State law says none street legal and non-licensed golf carts are limited to 20 mph. I believe street legal carts are limited to 25 mph.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Where did you see the speed limit on MMP is 30 mph? I believe FL State law says none street legal and non-licensed golf carts are limited to 20 mph. I believe street legal carts are limited to 25 mph.

The -street- where golf carts also drive, where they have a designated area to the right of the car lane marked by a white line, has a 30mph speed limit. Non-street-legal golf carts can drive on that street as long as they stay on the right of that white line (except to pass or turn left). Morse Blvd, north of 466, is built that way. The speed limit on Morse, north of 466 is 30. There is also a golf cart lane that can be used by carts, pedestrians, bicycles, rollerbladers, skateboarders, segway riders, mobility scooters, etc. It is a public road lacking sidewalks, but possessing a side-lane for "non-motor-vehicle" traffic.

[golfing eagles]

Retired now - why hurry? :posting:

Trite, worn out nonsense

[Laker14]

Retired now - why hurry? :posting:

Trite, worn out nonsense

Hey, I'm not hungry. You shouldn't be hungry either.

[Rodneysblue]

Been here 7 months now, and Lake Sumter has been my limit of how far north I have travelled by golf cart. Today, I finally decided to drive my cart up to Spanish Springs and over the original multi-modal bridge to the “historic section”. Was surprised how narrow the path was across Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd / the low clearance of the tunnel under Morse Blvd / the closeness that one shares the road with cars north of 466 on Morse Blvd / and then the very narrow width of the bridge over the highway to the “historic section”.

Interesting to contrast with the multi-modal paths south of Lake Sumter.

I had visited Orange Blossom once before briefly - and drove around Silver Lake today for the first time. It was interesting to see — very different “vibe” and look from the rest of The Villages, especially for me, living south of 44. Their deeds and restrictions are obviously very different from other parts of The Villages. I went inside the Silver Lake Rec Center - spoke with very nice elderly gentleman who was the front-desk person, who gave me a mini-tour and shared with me the history of the area. Nice big room with 8 well-kept billiard tables. Also, the Rec Center has the largest “jigsaw puzzle” library in The Villages.
I ended up over at Orange Blossom CC - they were having “Disco Night”.

Glad to have finally made the trip up North by cart, but now that I have done it, I think I will go back to my car for any travels north of Lake Sumter - the narrow paths are just a tad unnerving.
It all depends on what you’re use to. I for one will run from Orange Blossom Gardens down to Brownwood for Farmers Market and sometimes to Edna’s on the Green for lunch afterwards, then back home to OBG. Makes for a nice ride.

[coffeebean]

I’ve lived here 15 years and will never travel by golf cart on Morse north of 466. And since I lived here that cart path has been widen to what you see today. What a waste of money that was.

I don't drive on the cart paths north of 466 either but I don't think it was a waste of money to widen them. The wider the better for those who do drive on the MMP north of 466.

[coffeebean]

30 mph is the speed limit. Enjoy the ride!

I think you meant 20 (twenty) MPH.

[Bogie Shooter]

I think you meant 20 (twenty) MPH.

Nah, that’s Morse speed limit.

[JGibson]

It's odd at Spruce Creek South you can cross 441 but at Spanish Springs you can’t cross 441 at the light. You’re forced to go over the bridge. It’s the same county and both Lady Lake so I don't know the reasoning.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It's odd at Spruce Creek South you can cross 441 but at Spanish Springs you can’t cross 441 at the light. You’re forced to go over the bridge. It’s the same county and both Lady Lake so I don't know the reasoning.

I was curious about it last year so I checked the local laws.

Spruce Creek had been trying for several years to get this approved, and it was finally approved back in 2013. They did a traffic study of that location and at the time, the DOT decided (after first denying it) it was a reasonable request. That was also signed off on by Marion County officials.

There is no crossroads at the Villages and 441 that would take anyone into Marion County, so you couldn't go to Marion County for another exception.

You'd have to deal with both Lake and Sumter Counties, since the county line cuts across 441 at the Boone Gate. If you wanted to get out beyond that, say at Walmart, you'd be dealing with Sumter County, Marion County, AND Stonecrest - since the path that leads to the Walmart parking lot is Stonecrest property. If they don't want to deal with it, then it's a dead issue.

[coffeebean]

Nah, that’s Morse speed limit.

The speed limit on Morse Blvd is 35 MPH.

[Bogie Shooter]

The speed limit on Morse Blvd is 35 MPH.

The topic is cart paths on Morse.
Speed limit on Morse , CR 466 north is 30MPH.

[AliJos]

30 mph is the speed limit. Enjoy the ride!
Actually the speed limit on MMP is 20mph.

[Bill14564]

Actually the speed limit on MMP is 20mph.

Actually, there is no speed limit on the MMP except on the LSL bridge and possibly a few other spots.

The speed limit on Morse varies and can be 30mph, 35 mph, or 45 mph.

The original comment about following a car at 30mph was referring to the single lanes of Micro Racetrack Rd and Rolling Acres Rd though they are both 35mph and have passing zones.

[coffeebean]

The topic is cart paths on Morse.
Speed limit on Morse , CR 466 north is 30MPH.

Yes, of course, north of 466.

[Bogie Shooter]

It's odd at Spruce Creek South you can cross 441 but at Spanish Springs you can’t cross 441 at the light. You’re forced to go over the bridge. It’s the same county and both Lady Lake so I don't know the reasoning.

Call the county commissioners or Florida DOT.