Cart tunnel closure - FYI

[Bill-n-Brillo]

From the VCDD:

"e-Notification
Subject: What's Happening - Special Edition
Date: 2/3/2011

As of 6pm this evening, the golf cart tunnel under CR 101 will be closed until futher notice for maintenance. Due to safety concerns, no carts or pedestrians are permitted through the tunnel. In addition, as in the past, golf cart crossing of CR 101 will not be allowed. The District will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available."

Bill

[JenAjd]

thought The Sun has a post re: this today saying there would be a detour and that would be at at Woodridge Drive. The radio announcer also gave this this morning and warned the cart and car drivers to be VERY careful in this area due to a curve or some sort of obstructive view.

[784caroline]

Is it allowed or not to cross CR101 at Woodbridge Drive ? Otherwise how do you get to the businesses on 466 betwen Bonefish and Walmart??

[Bill-n-Brillo]

My understanding is that the tunnel is closed to all users and there are no golf carts allowed to cross CR101. I believe they had the sheriff out there for a day to try traffic control in the area to allow carts to cross but they waved that off. Must not have worked out very well!

Current info from www.districtgov.org :

CR101 Tunnel Closed for Maintenance
The tunnel under CR 101 will be closed until futher notice for maintenance. Due to safety concerns, no carts or pedestrians are permitted through the tunnel. In addition, as in the past, golf cart crossing of CR 101 will not be allowed. The District will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

Bill

[gongoozler]

No crossing signs are posted in the area but I counted 6 carts crossing CR101 in a short 10 minute span this Sunday morning . . . didn't seem like there were any police around.

Just wondering if they cross over to go to Wal-Mart and the police do come they may have to sit on the other side of the street until the police leave.

Since this hurts Villagers and the stores in this area why are we not using Community Watch to help with an organized crossing?

[Bogie Shooter]

Anybody think of using their car to get to the stores accross CR101?

[getdul981]

Thw police should be able to ticket any carts at Wal-Mart or any other business on the west side of 101, since they aren't supposed to be there anyway.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Anybody think of using their car to get to the stores accross CR101?

Car?

Bill

[spk7951]

Is it allowed or not to cross CR101 at Woodbridge Drive ? Otherwise how do you get to the businesses on 466 betwen Bonefish and Walmart??


Apparently not.
Friday afternoon my wife and I attempted to get to Olive Garden using that area. There were two deputies there and we asked one of them about crossing there. His reply was to go back home and get our car. As he said that someone did cross 101 in a golf cart at which point the other deputy took off in pursuit.

[Taltarzac]

Saw a golf cart sneak across CR101 this morning north of Crispers. At least, the driver did it where there were not any signs saying that this is forbidden.

I almost hit the nincompoop though as he/she seemed to think he/she had the right of way vs. my van driving south on CR101.

[784caroline]

There are golf carts on that side of 101..they come from Bison Valley!!

[Summerhill Golfer]

Is it allowed or not to cross CR101 at Woodbridge Drive ? Otherwise how do you get to the businesses on 466 betwen Bonefish and Walmart??
I personally checked the tunnel and the walls, concrete path, etc. This was at about 7:30PM tonight. I had a bright flashlight and I cannot find any evidence of any construction or repair work at all. The tunnel has been closed for about 5 days or so. I would really like to know why they are keeping it closed so long and what work is planned for it if any.

[Barefoot]

I watched at least six golf carts (NOT street legal) cross CR 101 on Woodbridge Drive in a ten minute period. Obviously it is happening all day long, and people are ignoring the "rules". And there was a police officer sitting in a police car watching them.

I can't believe they would plan a tunnel closing during snowbird season. I hope TOTV members will keep posting the status of the "repair" situation.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Still the same story on www.districtgov.org :

"The tunnel under CR 101 will be closed until further notice for maintenance. Due to safety concerns, no carts or pedestrians are permitted through the tunnel. In addition, as in the past, golf cart crossing of CR 101 will not be allowed. The District will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available."

Sounds like a pretty open-ended project to me!

Bill

[chacam]

The first day it was closed (last Thursday), there were a group of workers in the tunnel. I don't know what they were doing. I haven't seen anyone since then. I'll bet if there were a golf course on the other side of 101 it would be fixed.

[BlueHeronFan]

They ought to at least let folks know what is going on. It it a drainage issue, tunnel collapsing, cracking, etc. They give updates to every other project that is going on around here.

[Avista]

If there is a problem, how about fixing it ASAP

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Sent a polite e-mail to the VCDD asking for some feedback. Will post what I get in reply.

Bill

[getdul981]

Don't you mean IF?

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Nah, they'll send a reply of some sort. I told them I'd send you to see them in person if I didn't............... hee-hee! :clap2:

Bill

[memason]

The Latest Information:

Multi Modal Path Tunnel under CR 101
During a routine inspection of the multi-modal paths, District Property Management staff noticed cement pieces on the floor of the tunnel under CR101. Upon further investigation they found the cement had fallen from the tunnel. After cleaning the area of loose cement, they left and came back later to find additional cement had broken loose. At this time they requested our consulting engineer to look at the tunnel and determine what action would be necessary.

After examining the tunnel, it was suggested out of an abundance of caution that it be closed until further review could take place. The manufacturer was contacted, a structural engineer sent to The Villages and a decision was made to have core testing conducted on portions of the tunnel structure.

The testing is scheduled for Thursday, February 10th, and it will take approximately three weeks for the testing results to be completed.

At this point, out of continued concern for the safety and well being of residents, the tunnel will remain closed.

Any questions may be directed to Janet Tutt, District Manager, janet.tutt@districtgov.org or 753-4508.

Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding this unanticipated maintenance issue.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Just got my e-notification from VCDD as well. Better than an e-mail reply!! :)

Bill

[Avista]

All they need is a detour. How about taking the carts north past the Methodist Church and then setting up a crossing point there.

[Barefoot]

Holy Cowabunga! It looks as if the tunnel will be closed for quite some time.

I hope they post a police office at Woodbridge Drive (and also at Wedgewood Drive) and CR 101 to control the situation. For years, Villagers have had access via the tunnel to the delights that lie to the west. Bonefish Grill, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Walmart, Buffalo Ridge, Perkins, Bealls, Street Rods, Pet Store, etc.

For sure, people will be crossing CR 101 on Woodbridge Road in their non-street legal golf carts. And the speed limit going north on CR 101 is 35 MPH. It's a recipe for disaster. I hope that the Police Department "mans up", sorry girls, and takes charge of the situation.

At least they should post signs on Woodbridge and Wedgewood advising golf carts that the tunnel is closed and that it is illegal to cross CR 101.

[Taltarzac]

Sounds like it will be at least 3.5 weeks before this tunnel re-opens, if not many more weeks than that.

[Larry Wilson]

The Latest Information:

Multi Modal Path Tunnel under CR 101
During a routine inspection of the multi-modal paths, District Property Management staff noticed cement pieces on the floor of the tunnel under CR101. Upon further investigation they found the cement had fallen from the tunnel. After cleaning the area of loose cement, they left and came back later to find additional cement had broken loose. At this time they requested our consulting engineer to look at the tunnel and determine what action would be necessary.

After examining the tunnel, it was suggested out of an abundance of caution that it be closed until further review could take place. The manufacturer was contacted, a structural engineer sent to The Villages and a decision was made to have core testing conducted on portions of the tunnel structure.

The testing is scheduled for Thursday, February 10th, and it will take approximately three weeks for the testing results to be completed.

At this point, out of continued concern for the safety and well being of residents, the tunnel will remain closed.

Any questions may be directed to Janet Tutt, District Manager, janet.tutt@districtgov.org or 753-4508.

Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding this unanticipated maintenance issue.

memson, Big big thanks for the info. :thumbup:

[427dave]

.

At least they should post signs on Woodbridge and Wedgewood advising golf carts that the tunnel is closed and that it is illegal to cross CR 101.

They do have cones at both Woodbridge and Wedgewood with signs saying NO golf carts are allow to cross 101. They also have one between the Church and Krispers. They are not allowing carts to cross anywhere along 101. Guess we will have to use our cars. Sounds like this could be closed for quite awhile.

Streetrod and E-ZGO both have repair shops in Palm shopping plaza. Guess this cuts them off from drive up business.:rant-rave::oops::confused::sad:

[gongoozler]

Another reason to buy a street legal cart!

Now why not just post 20mph signs in that section of CR101 to slow the cars down and allow the carts to cross by the church?

Since it's legal to walk across the street but not drive your golf cart across it makes no sense . . . which is slower and presenting more of a danger, a 70 year-old crossing 4 lanes of traffic on foot or a golf cart?

I was told that the police were hiding yesterday up the road and ticketing cars that had crossed . . . so it was about making money and not about safety. If it really were about safety they would be on CR101 and stopping the carts before they crossed!

[Autoshow]

Saw a golf cart sneak across CR101 this morning north of Crispers. At least, the driver did it where there were not any signs saying that this is forbidden.

I almost hit the nincompoop though as he/she seemed to think he/she had the right of way vs. my van driving south on CR101.

That is not 101 near Crispers,101 is near the wal mart

[Avista]

That is not 101 near Crispers,101 is near the wal mart

101 is by Crispers and runs by the Methodist Church.

[gongoozler]

That is not 101 near Crispers,101 is near the wal mart

CR 103 is just east of Wal-Mart and CR105 is by Wal-Mart on the West side and goes by the Leahy Golf driving range.

[dillywho]

CR 103 is just east of Wal-Mart and CR105 is by Wal-Mart on the West side and goes by the Leahy Golf driving range.

Yes, CR 101 is by Crisper's and the Methodist Church. Woodridge and Wedgewood both cross it. The cones are there, but there is no signage on the cones from the Palm Ridge Side (at least there wasn't yesterday) and there were lots of carts that were not the street legals crossing.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Sent a polite e-mail to the VCDD asking for some feedback. Will post what I get in reply.

Bill

I know this is redundant info but I decided to post it anyway..........in support of the fact that the VCDD, at least Eva Rey in this specific instance, is responsive to our questions:

"Bill:

Thank you for your e-mail submitted via the Districts’ website and the opportunity to answer your questions.

Pieces of the cement tunnel wall have begun to break away and fall onto the path. We are currently working with the engineers and the testing company to determine what the problem is with the tunnel and what it will take to resolve the issue. They will be taking core samples tomorrow. We should receive the results of the core sample testing in approximately 3 weeks. As I am sure you can understand, the safety of Village residents is paramount to District management and closing the tunnel is necessary to ensure everyone’s safety.

Please continue to monitor our website and local media for any new information available on this issue.

Sincerely,

Eva M. Rey, MPA
Director of Purchasing and Support Services
Village Community Development Districts
1894 Laurel Manor Drive
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone (352) 751-6700
Fax (352) 751-6715
eva.rey@districtgov.org
"Hospitality, Stewardship, Innovation & Creativity, Hard Work"

Note: Under Florida Law, email communications are public records. If you do not want your email address or email contents released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic email to this entity."

Bill

[memason]

In my opinion, there would be no huge safety issue with carts crossing CR101 up by the Methodist Church. Rather than have the orange cones that say NO cart crossing, they should put the cones in the middle of CR101 and have them say "CAUTION: Golf Cart Crossing". A street legal cart is no safer than any other cart for crossing a road like CR101.

For all the tax money Sumter County gets from TV, they should be able to handle a temporary situation, such as this, quite easily.

I'm pretty new here, so am I way off base in this thinking ???? :shrug:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

In my opinion, there would be no huge safety issue with carts crossing CR101 up by the Methodist Church. Rather than have the orange cones that say NO cart crossing, they should put the cones in the middle of CR101 and have them say "CAUTION: Golf Cart Crossing". A street legal cart is no safer than any other cart for crossing a road like CR101.

For all the tax money Sumter County gets from TV, they should be able to handle a temporary situation, such as this, quite easily.

I'm pretty new here, so am I way off base in this thinking ???? :shrug:

Sounds rational to me!

Bill

[Avista]

Tonight saw quite a few people parking near Crispers and walking across 101. That is much more dangerous than a planned detour.

[mak44070]

I'm really bummed out about the tunnel closing - I ride my golf cart to work in the Palm Ridge Plaza (I'm a Master Tax Advisor for H&R Block). I looked for cross walks so that I could park my cart around Crispers and walk to work, but I couldn't find a legal place to cross CR 101.
Guess I tell my hubbie he gets the cart and I get the car!

[Bogie Shooter]

In my opinion, there would be no huge safety issue with carts crossing CR101 up by the Methodist Church. Rather than have the orange cones that say NO cart crossing, they should put the cones in the middle of CR101 and have them say "CAUTION: Golf Cart Crossing". A street legal cart is no safer than any other cart for crossing a road like CR101.

For all the tax money Sumter County gets from TV, they should be able to handle a temporary situation, such as this, quite easily.

I'm pretty new here, so am I way off base in this thinking ???? :shrug:

Do you think calling a commissioner would be of benefit?

[Barefoot]

A street legal cart is no safer than any other cart for crossing a road like CR101.
:shrug:

I thought a street legal cart was licensed to travel 10 to 15 MPH faster than a non street legal cart.

[chacam]

I couldn't find a legal place to cross CR 101

Is there a statute that says you can't walk across 101?

[memason]

I thought a street legal cart was licensed to travel 10 to 15 MPH faster than a non street legal cart.

From my understanding, a street legal cart gets you an additional 5 MPH. There are few other benefits, but speed isn't really one of them.

I considered purchasing a street legal cart, but in the end, didn't think it was worth the extra cost....

[memason]

Do you think calling a commissioner would be of benefit?

Bogie Shooter.... that's a great idea! Not sure who that would be, but I'll find out and contact them today... I'll post any response I get.

Thanks for the suggestion!

[getdul981]

If the tunnel is unsafe for carts to go through because the concrete is crumbling, doesn't it stand to reason that it is unsafe for cars and trucks to travel over?

[chuckster]

Today's Daily Sun has an article (page C-1) stating that the tunnel may be closed 4 weeks or longer. It further mentions that Sumter County Officials are not permitting golf carts to cross the roadway and there is no detour route in effect.

[memason]

Earlier today, I sent a note to the county commissioner, responsible for District 3, who is Don Burgess. In that email, I made a couple recomendations that would allow cart traffic to cross CR101 in a safe manner, in my opinion.

Once I receive a response, I will post on this thread for all to see. If you are interested in contacting Don yourself, his email address is don.burgess@sumtercountyfl.gov

This should be a very easy issue to resolve...ie creating a detour for carts to cross CR101. It's done all the time for road construction projects. In fact, there was detour created for the reconstruction of the cart paths on the north side that had cart traffic on Buena Vista Blvd. for quite a distance.

We'll see how responsive the county government is to such requests...

Cheers.....

[alemorkam]

Business in buffalo ridge are hurting because of this. All the golfer who go to Little Bit's cafe after golf in the morning have turned to other options. Used to see many, many golf carts there in the mornings. Now it is like ghost restaurant. Something needs to be done for these businesses.

[427dave]

I thought a street legal cart was licensed to travel 10 to 15 MPH faster than a non street legal cart.

Golf Cart max speed = 20 mph
Street Legal NEV max speed = 25 mph on roads posted at 35 mph or less.

Difference = 5 mph faster

[427dave]

Is there a statute that says you can't walk across 101?

You can walk across 101, however I have not seen crosswalk area, you can ride a bicycle across 101, you can NOT drive a golf cart across 101 unless it is street legal and has a tag. GO FIGURE! That way Sumter County has a way to make money from fines.:police:

[427dave]

I have an idea. Being as the Villages has closed the tunnel they should offer a ferry service. Just like crossing a river. They should have a trailer there and then they could ferry the golf carts across the forbidden highway.

The radio station just stated it will be closed a long time. I wonder about the traffic crossing over the top of the tunnel. Are we going to have a vehicle fall through?

[Bogie Shooter]

Why is it when someone breaks the law and ends up with a fine...the outcry is always "thats the way the city, county or state makes money". If you don't break the law you don't get a fine, that seem pretty simple.

[Mikeod]

Why is it when someone breaks the law and ends up with a fine...the outcry is always "thats the way the city, county or state makes money". If you don't break the law you don't get a fine, that seem pretty simple.

:agree:

How about creating a temporary 4-way stop at the intersection near the church and the entrance to that village? Unfortunately, I believe that before they can do that they have to conduct surveys and post it for comment and review. So by the time it could be done, the tunnel will probably be repaired.

[logdog]

In my opinion, there would be no huge safety issue with carts crossing CR101 up by the Methodist Church. Rather than have the orange cones that say NO cart crossing, they should put the cones in the middle of CR101 and have them say "CAUTION: Golf Cart Crossing". A street legal cart is no safer than any other cart for crossing a road like CR101.

For all the tax money Sumter County gets from TV, they should be able to handle a temporary situation, such as this, quite easily.

I'm pretty new here, so am I way off base in this thinking ???? :shrug:

Yes, you are way off base. You're trying to think about this problem rationally. That's a classic mistake people make when dealing government entities.

[Russ_Boston]

Let's not forget that all those businesses on the west of CR101 pay EXTRA lease costs to be golf cart accessible. I would bet that they are raising a big stink about this as well.

[debzaranti]

Anybody think of using their car to get to the stores accross CR101?

That's great IF you have a car! One of the perks of moving to TV was being able to get rid of the second car and replace it with our golf cart. Some days the hubby has to drive the car to get to work outside of TV and that leaves me with only the cart....and his motorcycle...which you will NEVER catch me driving! LOL!

[Barefoot]

:agree:

How about creating a temporary 4-way stop at the intersection near the church and the entrance to that village? Unfortunately, I believe that before they can do that they have to conduct surveys and post it for comment and review. So by the time it could be done, the tunnel will probably be repaired.

A four-way stop at Woodbridge Drive is definitely the smartest solution, and would allow Villagers to continue patronizing the businesses west of CR 101 via Golf Cart. I would think that for a temporary emergency situation, the police could make that happen immediately.

[dillywho]

A four-way stop at Woodbridge Drive is definitely the smartest solution, and would allow Villagers to continue patronizing the businesses west of CR 101 via Golf Cart. I would think that for a temporary emergency situation, the police could make that happen immediately.

Not only would it solve the current problem, but just might slow the lead-foots on 101. It gets a little hairy already even in a car with the ones who seem to think the speed limit is the same as 466:duck:. Even the current speed of 35 seems too much with all the intersections, turn lanes, etc. on 101. IMHO

[Bogie Shooter]

All these good suggestions are going to waste. For possibly more action to be accomplished they should be directed to our county commissioners, there email addresses are available here:
http://sumtercountyfl.gov/index.aspx?nid=67

[memason]

All these good suggestions are going to waste. For possibly more action to be accomplished they should be directed to our county commissioners, there email addresses are available here:
http://sumtercountyfl.gov/index.aspx?nid=67

I did just that, this morning. Don Burgess is the commissioner responsible for that portion of The Villages. In my email, I recommended the 4-way stop as a potential solution. So far, I have gotten no response from Mr. Burgess. When [or if] I get a response, I'll post it here.

[Bogie Shooter]

I did just that, this morning. Don Burgess is the commissioner responsible for that portion of The Villages. In my email, I recommended the 4-way stop as a potential solution. So far, I have gotten no response from Mr. Burgess. When [or if] I get a response, I'll post it here.

Wouldn't more email get their attention?

[Mikeod]

Wouldn't more email get their attention?
Perhaps, but I bet it would mean more if he/they got communications from all the businesses affected by the closure! :)

[Barefoot]

I did just that, this morning. Don Burgess is the commissioner responsible for that portion of The Villages. In my email, I recommended the 4-way stop as a potential solution. So far, I have gotten no response from Mr. Burgess. When [or if] I get a response, I'll post it here.

Could you please post Don Burgess' e-mail address? I looked on the Sumter County site but didn't see his address. I'd like to send him an e-mail about the four-way stop sign ... I'd think that the more e-mails he receives, the better.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Could you please post Don Burgess' e-mail address? I looked on the Sumter County site but didn't see his address. I'd like to send him an e-mail about the four-way stop sign ... I'd think that the more e-mails he receives, the better.

From memason's post (#45) earlier in the thread:

"Once I receive a response, I will post on this thread for all to see. If you are interested in contacting Don yourself, his email address is don.burgess@sumtercountyfl.gov"

Bill :)

[twynsmom]

Anybody think of using their car to get to the stores accross CR101?

:agree::agree:

[memason]

As promised, here is the reply I received from the County Commissioners office, concerning the tunnel closure and any sort of temporary detour:Mr. Mason,
Thank you for your input. The CDD is responsible for the tunnel and any detours when their multimodal trail is out of service. I have a meeting with Mrs. Tutt on Wednesday of next week to see what their detour plans are, their time frame for the tunnel to be out of service, and what request they may have of the BOCC for assistance. Until these questions are answered by the CDD, the BOCC does not have a staff recommendation for action at their 2/22/11 BOCC meeting. By statute approval to cross or access a county road by a golf cart requires action by the BOCC.
It seems that Janet Tutt holds the keys to any action by the BOCC, which would allow [or disallow] any sort of detour. Perhaps an email campaign to Mrs. Tutt is in order .... I will forward this email to Mrs. Tutt and ask if she is preparing any sort of request of the BOCC at their upcoming meeting...

Cheers.... Mike

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Mike.................you da man! :thumbup: Thanks for what you're doing!

Bill

[Taltarzac]

http://sumtercountyfl.gov/faq.aspx?TID=29

[gongoozler]

Thw police should be able to ticket any carts at Wal-Mart or any other business on the west side of 101, since they aren't supposed to be there anyway.

Not true . . . you can get there if you live in Parkwood as they have a gate on the West side of CR101 so they would never have to cross it.

[784caroline]

Parkwood has no "Legal" golf cart access to The Villages intermodal trails.

In fact there are signs posted on 101 comming form Parkwood stating NO GOLF CARTS ALLOWS and that is for the sidewalks as wel as on 101.

Bison Valley is the only "LegaL" Golf Cart Community on that side of 101

[Taltarzac]

Some workmen were near the tunnel-- just above it in the middle of CR101-- when I came back from Doggie Doo Run Run @ noon today.

Not sure what is up though.

[obxgal]

Just got this Update:
Subject: What's Happening - Special Edition
Date: 2/11/2011

CR 101 Update

Sumter County has been in contact with the District and has advised of their plan to allow on grade crossing of CR 101 until the tunnel re-opens effective 8am Saturday, February 12, 2011.

Sumter County will create a four way stop and will allow golf cart crossing of CR 101 just north of the closed tunnel. Golf carts will be allowed to cross CR 101 from behind Publix to the Palm Ridge Plaza parking lot.

The Sumter County Sherriff's Office will be onsite to ensure compliance with temporary signage.

[Mikeod]

Alright! That was quicker than I thought. Sounds like a reasonable solution. Hope people don't abuse it by crossing at a different point.

[Dirigo]

:BigApplause:Just got this Update:
Subject: What's Happening - Special Edition
Date: 2/11/2011

CR 101 Update

Sumter County has been in contact with the District and has advised of their plan to allow on grade crossing of CR 101 until the tunnel re-opens effective 8am Saturday, February 12, 2011.

Sumter County will create a four way stop and will allow golf cart crossing of CR 101 just north of the closed tunnel. Golf carts will be allowed to cross CR 101 from behind Publix to the Palm Ridge Plaza parking lot.

The Sumter County Sherriff's Office will be onsite to ensure compliance with temporary signage.

[gongoozler]

I thought a street legal cart was licensed to travel 10 to 15 MPH faster than a non street legal cart.
A golf cart by law can not exceed 19.9 mph, a street legal can not by law exceed 25mph. The street legals can drive on road with posted speeds up to 35 mph unless otherwise posted and street legals may cross roads with posted speeds of up to 45mph (unless otherwise posted).
The federal and state governments are not going to change the law because of a four week construction project in The Village so we have to live with what the law is!

The 4-way stop sign sure seems like a positive way to solve this problem!

[Barefoot]

Just got this Update:
Subject: What's Happening - Special Edition
Date: 2/11/2011 CR 101 Update

Sumter County has been in contact with the District and has advised of their plan to allow on grade crossing of CR 101 until the tunnel re-opens effective 8am Saturday, February 12, 2011.
Sumter County will create a four way stop and will allow golf cart crossing of CR 101 just north of the closed tunnel. Golf carts will be allowed to cross CR 101 from behind Publix to the Palm Ridge Plaza parking lot.
The Sumter County Sherriff's Office will be onsite to ensure compliance with temporary signage.

I had lunch at Crispers today and watched them placing the new signs. This is very good news. Excellent reaction time Sumpter County peeps!! Hopefully, this will prevent any misfortunes while the tunnel is closed.

[Taltarzac]

There's a little map showing where this detour (4-way stop) is on the first page of today's Villages Daily Sun's local section.

[getdul981]

Alright! That was quicker than I thought. Sounds like a reasonable solution. Hope people don't abuse it by crossing at a different point.

I agree, but you just know someone is going to screw things up for everybody else.

[dillywho]

:gc:Sure do like the 4-way stop across CR101. It has really slowed the auto traffic and has made the roads much safer. It used to be a real challenge to get across at Woodridge by car because by the time they got to there from 466, they were flying. (Had to be really scary for those with street legal carts going across there.) Not only that, but there are some sortof blind crossings out of the church parking lot, behind and in front of Crispers', and a couple of others that have led to near-misses.

Hope the powers-that-be will opt to keep it up, even after the tunnel reopens.

[Taltarzac]

:gc:Sure do like the 4-way stop across CR101. It has really slowed the auto traffic and has made the roads much safer. It used to be a real challenge to get across at Woodridge by car because by the time they got to there from 466, they were flying. (Had to be really scary for those with street legal carts going across there.) Not only that, but there are some sortof blind crossings out of the church parking lot, behind and in front of Crispers', and a couple of others that have led to near-misses.

Hope the powers-that-be will opt to keep it up, even after the tunnel reopens.

Not sure I want this stop to stay open. That's because, I have seen too many golf cart drivers just heading right through the stop without really stopping. Guess they feel entitled now.

As of late March 2011, I cannot wait until the tunnel re-opens!

[memason]

...Guess they feel entitled now.

Not to be argumentative, but what does statement that mean?


.

[redwitch]

I just recently heard a rumor that they've decided to not fix the tunnel and just leave the four-way stop. Anyone else heard anything?

[427dave]

I just recently heard a rumor that they've decided to not fix the tunnel and just leave the four-way stop. Anyone else heard anything?

Well there doesn't seem to be any work progressing on the repair of the tunnel. Maybe they are not going to repair it for awhile.

The 4-way stop is working

[Barefoot]

Not sure I want this stop to stay open. That's because, I have seen too many golf cart drivers just heading right through the stop without really stopping. Guess they feel entitled now.

I agree with Tal. I drive north on CR 101 at least once a day. (To DDRR). Many golf carts are just sailing across 101 without stopping. It is a bit more convenient for golf carts to cross over the road instead of through a tunnel. However I think the tunnel is much safer.

In my opinion, the speed limit on CR 101 is too high. There are way too many people in cars who are too impatient to wait for a clear path. They just sail out into traffic, trying to navigate back and forth between Buffalo Ridge and Southern Trace. It's a dangerous area.

[Taltarzac]

I agree with Tal. I drive north on CR 101 at least once a day. (To DDRR). Many golf carts are just sailing across 101 without stopping. It is a bit more convenient for golf carts to cross over the road instead of through a tunnel. However I think the tunnel is much safer.

In my opinion, the speed limit on CR 101 is too high. There are way too many people in cars who are too impatient to wait for a clear path. They just sail out into traffic, trying to navigate back and forth between Buffalo Ridge and Southern Trace. It's a dangerous area.

They seem to think that they can handle themselves in a golf cart like they do in their cars when very few golf carts have the same kind of pick-up and none have the same kind of accident survivability unless they drive a car that is quite similar to a golf cart. Have seen a few of these driving around in the Villages.

I also drive to the dog park up CR101 just about every day and also often see cars as well as golf carts do a rolling stop at the "temporary" golf cart street crossing.

[memason]

I sent an email to Janet Tutt's office yesterday (3/28/2011) concerning the tunnel status and the rumors that are circulating.

Here's the response I received:

Mr. Mason,

I received an engineering report today from the VCCDD regarding this
issue. The VCCDD and Sumter County have not evaluated the report;
however, I am sure we will do so this week. I have not heard the
rumors; however, I know the VCCDD as well as Sumter County are
interested in seeing the tunnel repaired and reopened as soon as
possible.

Bradley

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Thanks for doing that, Mike! And it's good to hear they're wanting to fix the tunnel.

Bill

[golf2140]

I sent an email to Janet Tutt's office yesterday (3/28/2011) concerning the tunnel status and the rumors that are circulating.

Here's the response I received:

Mr. Mason,

I received an engineering report today from the VCCDD regarding this
issue. The VCCDD and Sumter County have not evaluated the report;
however, I am sure we will do so this week. I have not heard the
rumors; however, I know the VCCDD as well as Sumter County are
interested in seeing the tunnel repaired and reopened as soon as
possible.

Bradley

your e-mail was signed Bradley. Is that Bradley Arnold Sumter County Administrator????? :read:

[memason]

your e-mail was signed Bradley. Is that Bradley Arnold Sumter County Administrator????? :read:

Yes....

[Taltarzac]

Good to hear that they are planning on getting the tunnel back open.

[Barefoot]

Good to hear that they are planning on getting the tunnel back open.

I think it will make CR 101 much safer when the carts are using the tunnel again. It is such a congested area between 466 and Woodridge.

[Taltarzac]

Anything new on the tunnel under CR101?

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I look at www.districtgov.org periodically - nothing there.

Bill

[Taltarzac]

I look at www.districtgov.org periodically - nothing there.

Bill

Thanks for the response. I will check there too once in a while.

[2newyorkers]

Has the golf cart tunnel under 101 been reopened?

[Golf-Tinker]

Read that they are waiting for engineering approvals before they proceed.

[nkrifats]

Has the golf cart tunnel under 101 been reopened?
As of today, it is still closed. Was over that way today in my cart.

[2newyorkers]

WOW! It is taking alot longer than they originally estimated. Thank you.

[JenAjd]

Yup a long time closed...but frankly, I like the detour! Still have to watch out when going thru the 4-way however!!

[mikeandnancy1112]

Never mind