Golf Cart EXPRESSWAY ?

[Will.S]

Looking at a map of all the unused land UNDER the electrical Transmission lines, It looks like a pretty good straight path that could connect the NORTH with the SOUTH sections of The Villages. It looks to me (by my initial impression) that a multi-modal path could be constructed WITH MINIMAL stop & go street crossings starting south of El Camino at Enrique ( just south of the golf course pond) - all the way to 44 . This new path would take a lot of golf cart traffic off the streets Again, my initial impression. :gc:

[CarlR33]

I assume it’s Duke Energy’s (or other utilites) right of way. You could contact them and ask. Good Luck

[villagetinker]

You will not be allowed to use the right of way

[MrFlorida]

Belongs to the power company, not the Villages property...they will never allow that.

[golfing eagles]

You will not be allowed to use the right of way

Even if they could, can you image the plethora of lawsuits blaming the route for every health issue from cancer to bovine spongiform encephalitis (mad cow disease)?

[BrianL99]

Even if they could, can you image the plethora of lawsuits blaming the route for every health issue from cancer to bovine spongiform encephalitis (mad cow disease)?

Would need to wear tin-foil helmets and other safety gear.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

You'd need pull-over areas for accidents and people who run out of gas, and anyone feeling faint from all that car exhaust that they didn't fan out of the tunnels. And of course you'd need extra lanes JUST for emergency vehicles to get to those stopped carts.

Not even almost a little bit practical.

[Bill14564]

You'd need pull-over areas for accidents and people who run out of gas, and anyone feeling faint from all that car exhaust that they didn't fan out of the tunnels. And of course you'd need extra lanes JUST for emergency vehicles to get to those stopped carts.

Not even almost a little bit practical.

Wrong thread? Did I miss the talk about a tunnel, much less being shared with cars?

[Arctic Fox]

There is a precedent in the 0.8 mile by-the-pylons MMP from Buena Vista to Belle Meade Circle through Nancy Lopez

While that land might by owned by TV, not the utilities, it does show that it is considered safe for residents

[coffeebean]

Looking at a map of all the unused land UNDER the electrical Transmission lines, It looks like a pretty good straight path that could connect the NORTH with the SOUTH sections of The Villages. It looks to me (by my initial impression) that a multi-modal path could be constructed WITH MINIMAL stop & go street crossings starting south of El Camino at Enrique ( just south of the golf course pond) - all the way to 44 . This new path would take a lot of golf cart traffic off the streets Again, my initial impression. :gc:

When we hop on the Turnpike at 301, drive 75 MPH and are STILL passing The Villages after driving for ten minutes. That is a long way to go to get to the southern part of The Villages. Driving a clear shot "expressway" in a golf cart would still take over an hour to go from the northern Villages to the furthest south. As I always say, "pack a lunch".

Nice thought though.

[coffeebean]

Even if they could, can you image the plethora of lawsuits blaming the route for every health issue from cancer to bovine spongiform encephalitis (mad cow disease)?

There you go again using those big words, GE.

[dewilson58]

Would be easy for the Battery Cart Boys to re-charge.

:MOJE_whot:

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Wrong thread? Did I miss the talk about a tunnel, much less being shared with cars?

I didn't say anything about sharing them with cars, but I did misunderstand the OP. He suggested an MMP "UNDER" the transmission lines. I took it literally, thinking he meant under the land - as in - tunnels.

Regardless, as everyone else has pointed out, the land doesn't belong to the Villages. It belongs to the utility companies, for use by them for the transmission lines.

[shut the front door]

Belongs to the power company, not the Villages property...they will never allow that.

They allow it for the cart path to Walmart on 441.

[Pairadocs]

Wrong thread? Did I miss the talk about a tunnel, much less being shared with cars?

No, it was just a very confusing post, started out with if it's possible to use utility easement land to construct a kind of "cart expressway" and deteriorated into automobiles eliciting so much exhaust in the tunnels people would be over come.... who knows, that's why it can be so entertaining on here... you begin with an apple and end, since it's Florida, with an orange....LOL !

[Arctic Fox]

Looking at a map of all the unused land UNDER the electrical Transmission lines, It looks like a pretty good straight path that could connect the NORTH with the SOUTH sections of The Villages.

I have always thought that many stretches would make nice walking paths. Others are preserves so would have to be left as is.

[bobeaston]

Such an MMP exists in the village of Chitty Chatty, just south of 44. There is a power line route of single tall poles that dissects the length of the village. There are 2 single lane, one-way, MMPs on either side of that power line route. Not directly underneath, but at each side.

Those paths are very well travelled by carts, bikes and pedestrians ... and there are no over-exposed, irradiated, dead bodies laying alongside.

[sjeffries]

Looking at a map of all the unused land UNDER the electrical Transmission lines, It looks like a pretty good straight path that could connect the NORTH with the SOUTH sections of The Villages. It looks to me (by my initial impression) that a multi-modal path could be constructed WITH MINIMAL stop & go street crossings starting south of El Camino at Enrique ( just south of the golf course pond) - all the way to 44 . This new path would take a lot of golf cart traffic off the streets Again, my initial impression. :gc:

I always thought the land under the power towers could be used for cemetery plots! 😊

[HJBeck]

No return on investment for the builder.

[Ignatz]

Such an MMP exists in the village of Chitty Chatty, just south of 44. There is a power line route of single tall poles that dissects the length of the village. There are 2 single lane, one-way, MMPs on either side of that power line route. Not directly underneath, but at each side.

Those paths are very well travelled by carts, bikes and pedestrians ... and there are no over-exposed, irradiated, dead bodies laying alongside.
We’re always on guard for mutant alligators through there. 🤣

[txfan]

Such an MMP exists in the village of Chitty Chatty, just south of 44. There is a power line route of single tall poles that dissects the length of the village. There are 2 single lane, one-way, MMPs on either side of that power line route. Not directly underneath, but at each side.

Those paths are very well travelled by carts, bikes and pedestrians ... and there are no over-exposed, irradiated, dead bodies laying alongside.

And yet the perma-poster experts will tell you it cannot be done!

[Normal]

Sure, charge tolls to pay for it too. Can you imagine the clamor for the newest SunPass? Then the law enforcement uptick for catching carts doing more than 20 mph? What about the rollovers from those fast carts who decided to pass when it wasn’t safe?

[ByebyeMichigan]

Huh ??????

[jmaccallum]

You will not be allowed to use the right of way

Not True. There already is a path called the “Power Line Path” that goes along the power lines from Belle Meade to Mulberry. Mulberry Dog Park is on that path. Very nice path.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Interesting thought. Who knows…

[Papa_lecki]

Sure, charge tolls to pay for it too. Can you imagine the clamor for the newest SunPass? Then the law enforcement uptick for catching carts doing more than 20 mph? What about the rollovers from those fast carts who decided to pass when it wasn’t safe?

With all the revenue from Sunpass, you can afford to put in two lanes each direction, left lane to pass.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Leasing out the easements under transmission power lines is very common for Southern California Edison (SCE). Many open spaces under transmission lines are either rented out to nurseries to store, water, grow their plants and trees or they have been landscaped and had paths added to them for walking, bike paths, etc.

This is neither new or uncommon, and there is no reason why it wouldn't work in The Villages as well as it has for decades in SoCal.

[Danube]

Belongs to the power company, not the Villages property...they will never allow that.

Nope. Except for the transformer substations, inside The Villages the land under the power lines is owned by The Villages (or one of their sister companies). Outside TV the land is owned by various owners. The power company is a tenant with easement rights over these properties. And easements are negotiable.

There are currently (pun) existing segments of multi-modal paths under the lines.

Between San Marino Dr (N of 466) and 466A most of the power lines are outside TV- but the power company is still a tenant, not an owner, of the land.

I have access to County property ownership records, so I just checked.

[Danube]

I didn't say anything about sharing them with cars, but I did misunderstand the OP. He suggested an MMP "UNDER" the transmission lines. I took it literally, thinking he meant under the land - as in - tunnels.

Regardless, as everyone else has pointed out, the land doesn't belong to the Villages. It belongs to the utility companies, for use by them for the transmission lines.

Wrong. Except for the substation the land belongs to The Villages, see my other post.

I think the OP's idea is a good one: High benefit for a relatively low cost, considering the alternatives.

[villagetinker]

OK, this situation seems to be very different from what I am familiar with back up North, thank you to all that pointed out I may be wrong with my initial answer. So, to the OP, you can approach the 'owner' of the land and see what would be involved with implementing your idea.
I see the following possible problems:
1. The people living next to the right of way will not like golf carts close to their back yards.
2. The Utility company will want some form of indemnity for any accidents.
3. The Utility company will also need 24/7/365 access to this land for maintenance of the land (mowing, weed control, tree trimming, etc.) and line maintenance.
4. These areas are typically fenced off, so there will need to be some discussion about how to allow golf cart (and others like the typical multi modal path) access.
5. There are probably different arrangements over the years for different locations, I have seen golf courses under the lines, I have seen the previously mentions golf cart paths parallel the lines, but these uses were probably not in the older sections of TV.
6. There will be some expense to the utility for allowing these uses, so the associated CDD's will need to be involved.
7. The counties will need to be involved for the various road crossings, gates, lights, etc.
IMHO, I do not see this happening in the near future, but I do agree it is an interesting idea.

[donfey]

There is a precedent in the 0.8 mile by-the-pylons MMP from Buena Vista to Belle Meade Circle through Nancy Lopez

While that land might by owned by TV, not the utilities, it does show that it is considered safe for residents

Absolutely. I imagine the need to add tunnels under each cross street precludes the continuation
of the route from SE 86th Belle Meade Circle to Co. Rd 44, notwithstanding that some of that land is not even owned by The Villages. (Would be cool, though!)

[djlnc]

Why is there such a concentration of towers and high voltage lines in this area?

[JMintzer]

And yet the perma-poster experts will tell you it cannot be done!

It's NOT being done there. They are on either side of the power line right-of way, not UNDER the power lines, which is what the OP suggested...

[JMintzer]

Not True. There already is a path called the “Power Line Path” that goes along the power lines from Belle Meade to Mulberry. Mulberry Dog Park is on that path. Very nice path.

But is does not run UNDER the power lines, in the right of way. They can call it whatever they want, but that doesn't change that fact.

[Nana2Teddy]

I have always thought that many stretches would make nice walking paths. Others are preserves so would have to be left as is.

Down south there are many walking paths under the power lines.

[CarlR33]

Leasing out the easements under transmission power lines is very common for Southern California Edison (SCE). Many open spaces under transmission lines are either rented out to nurseries to store, water, grow their plants and trees or they have been landscaped and had paths added to them for walking, bike paths, etc.

This is neither new or uncommon, and there is no reason why it wouldn't work in The Villages as well as it has for decades in SoCal.I don’t think Duke would approve given this:

Duke sues to eject Starkey Market activities from power line property (https://www.tampabay.com/news/pasco/2024/07/24/duke-sues-eject-starkey-market-activities-power-line-property/)

[Nana2Teddy]

Leasing out the easements under transmission power lines is very common for Southern California Edison (SCE). Many open spaces under transmission lines are either rented out to nurseries to store, water, grow their plants and trees or they have been landscaped and had paths added to them for walking, bike paths, etc.

This is neither new or uncommon, and there is no reason why it wouldn't work in The Villages as well as it has for decades in SoCal.
It’s a very common usage down here in the southern villages. Many power lines have walking paths under them, including here in my village of DeLuna.

[villagetinker]

Why is there such a concentration of towers and high voltage lines in this area?

There are a few large substations in the area, and a very large one on RT44, the lines you see (the towers) connect these facilities together. The very large ones in the TV area are 230kV and 500 kV, I worked with this equipment in a prior life.

[MorTech]

A Proper TV golf cart Autobahn! No speed limit! 2 lane each way - Slow traffic keep right!

[motherflippinpicker]

I always say the same thing, too bad we can't zip under those lines like we do when snowmobiling. 😆

[EddieUA]

Great idea. It would be nice to be able to navigate from top to bottom in
a shorter time especially during our peak season. Trails can get crowded and then there's the little old lady with the beehive hairdo doing 5 miles per hour in a no passing zone. Looking at a map of all the unused land UNDER the electrical Transmission lines, It looks like a pretty good straight path that could connect the NORTH with the SOUTH sections of The Villages. It looks to me (by my initial impression) that a multi-modal path could be constructed WITH MINIMAL stop & go street crossings starting south of El Camino at Enrique ( just south of the golf course pond) - all the way to 44 . This new path would take a lot of golf cart traffic off the streets Again, my initial impression. :gc:

[EddieUA]

I bet if there was a toll they may go for it. The Villages is so big they really need to consider this. Still you are looking at an hour if you do 24 mph. A Proper TV golf cart Autobahn! No speed limit! 2 lane each way - Slow traffic keep right!

[Warren]

................ and who is going to volunteer supply the funds ? Who is going to patrol the freeway for medical emergency, accidents and crime? ......may be the Villages Watch? I suspect it will not be used any more then the bridges over the turnpikes... which is not much. Not going to happen in our lifetimes. it is an interesting idea. Fun to read the comments.

[dewilson58]

Jus put some flatbeds behind the trolleys, pull your carts on...........sit back, relax and have a drink. Let the trolley drive you North & South.

:mornincoffee:

[Normal]

I bet if there was a toll they may go for it. The Villages is so big they really need to consider this. Still you are looking at an hour if you do 24 mph.

You are looking at a lot of tickets and fines. The tree would be ripe for picking! Over 20 mph, only golf carts using it. Strat racking in those fines for breaching the law that separates a golf cart from a LSV. “No insurance, no license plate, sir you were going over 20 mph. We will have to write you several infractions on this ticket.”

IMO the original post is a great idea, but needs to be filed with the monorail and city bus blogs.

[charlieboy]

Not True. There already is a path called the “Power Line Path” that goes along the power lines from Belle Meade to Mulberry. Mulberry Dog Park is on that path. Very nice path.

The Villages tried to improve the "Power Line Path" by widening and adding ribbons to the sides. Duke Energy said no, and the effort was drop. Duke does want anything but land under their power lines. Somehow, the Mulberry lane was installed in the past as a pedestrian only lane but was used by golf carts during reconstruction of the narrow pathways back in 2010 and was never returned to the pedestrian status.

[txfan]

It's NOT being done there. They are on either side of the power line right-of way, not UNDER the power lines, which is what the OP suggested...

11,632...Point made

[HORNET]

Who do you want to pay for it ?

[dewilson58]

11,632...Point made

:1rotfl:

[MorTech]

Who do you want to pay for it ?

Taxpayers, Ideally. They don't care and they are VERY generous.

[Bilyclub]

................ and who is going to volunteer supply the funds ? Who is going to patrol the freeway for medical emergency, accidents and crime? ......may be the Villages Watch? I suspect it will not be used any more then the bridges over the turnpikes... which is not much. Not going to happen in our lifetimes. it is an interesting idea. Fun to read the comments.


The Water Lilly Bridge over the Turnpike gets used a lot. The Bexley Bridge not as much, but that area is still a construction zone West of the Turnpike.

[TimeForChange]

The property under those towers is an easement for use by the power companies. High voltage lines atop a lengthy golf cart path are not going to be approved.