Colony Traffic update
 

Information from Village News, the online newspaper I get.

New information on the meeting that took place this morning. Commonsense seems to have been present at this meeting. Scrap the bridge, install traffic light.

Would you elaborate. No website

The website is ************** .com.
Just eliminate the space.
Unable to post a link or website.

Cannot remove. Sorry.

try retyping the URL without the space after news.

I tried copying and pasting the link here as well. Is there a reason that it would not paste into here? Just wondering. I could not delete the post either, so I just removed the link.
Sorry for my mistake.

I could not post the link. But the main finding right now is as follows:

The Project Wide Advisory Committee has voted 4-1 to move ahead with a traffic signal on Colony Boulevard.

The vote was taken this morning with PWAC District 7 member Ron Ruggeri voting against the idea.

This essentially scraps a plan unanimously approved by PWAC on Dec. 12 to build a golf-cart bridge over the busy boulevard where golf-cart traffic meets automobiles.

A traffic signal at the location will cost roughly $250,000, PWAC Chairman Peter Moeller said.

There is more in the article, I am sure it will be in our newspaper tomorrow.

In other words go to h---

?????? I don't understand what you are saying.

For some reason the forum will not allow a url to Villages-newsdotcom to appear. Which is why we keep typing the dot-com out. I think it might have something to do with the fact that they don't advertise on the forum. Maybe the Daily Sun does, and there would be a competition issue? I don't know. They do allow other url's to go through, but not this one.

If you google **************, you will find their web site, and you can bookmark it.

I don't either, rubicon. I'd much rather they save several hundred thousand dollars. With a bridge there would still be a merge situation.

Why not just install 4 STOP signs....cost will be about $250....I'll dig one hole.....

To post the web address try enclosing it in the code tags (# BUTTON) It can then be copied and pasted into the browser address box or line.

What's a code tag #Button? Can you explain further for us luddites?

Still think closing the road where it intersects with Morse would be the cheapest and safest option.

The other day I was travelling west on 466A and the alternate entrance if they closed the road had traffic backed up onto 466A. Don't see how this could be an alternative since traffic was backed up even with access open from Colony.

The second light, by the Shell station, is the better entrance. You don't have to deal with the stop sign.

Agreed; however, by closing Colony you are feeding the traffic to only 2 entrances off 466A and I have already seen one back up onto the highway. Can't imagine what it would be like if it had to handle all that traffic.

Not trying to stir the pot but with traffic that bad already how is putting in a light not going to make it worse? :shrug: Seems the bridge would keep the cart traffic flowing. The light isn't exactly free either. Honestly just asking the question.

They could get temporary stop signs that are on concrete bases, to create a 4-way stop. This way they could see if stop signs would do the trick. Generally traffic signals are a last resort, and are only used when other methods don't work.

The part I can't figure out, Beef, is how a bridge would alleviate the traffic jam of carts trying to turn left onto Colony off of the cart path. Wouldn't they still have to merge into traffic already on Colony? It might make the situation a little better (not having to turn left onto Colony), but I can't understand how it would solve the problem.

Put a stop to the freaking car traffic. If you drive a car enter colony plaza off of 466a. Theres no reason for car traffic to enter colony plaza that way when theres 2 alternative entrances for car traffic. If you don't like that idea go to sweetbay and shop. No bridge or tunnel will be as cost effective and productive as to eliminate the car traffic for 100 yards.

:agree:

Here's the Facebook link...you need to scroll down but the story is there.

https://www.facebook.com/TheVillagesNews

I really can't see Sumter Country agreeing to close Colony to vehicles. As has been said, the traffic jams on 466A would be horrendous. As to four-way stops, I doubt they would be much better -- ever notice how confused drivers get at Toojay's 4-way stop in Sumter Landing and how often a stop sign is run? I'm not convinced a traffic light will work, either. Something tells me those who live south of 466A and, yes, just north are going to be in for some very unpleasant encounters with cars for a long, long time.

Thank you for a voice of reason. One simply doesn't close off a public road. It would inconvenience a lot more traffic than the golf carts who are inconvenienced now, and push the traffic problem down the road to another location.

I do think a traffic signal will work, though.

The code button is on the text message editing page that results when you click either "Post Reply" or "Quote Post" button. It's just above where you type in your message, on the line beginning with "B" for bold. The "#" for code button is the third button from the end of that line.

When you click the B button, the two code tags will appear and you can then type in the web address you want showing for copying & pasting. Alternately, you can have the address typed in, highlight it then click the # button. It will have the same result as with the first instruction.

Now if this doesn't do it for you, then you can consider yourself a Certified Professional Luddite (CPL) and not just an ordinary run-of-the-mill amateur one! :1rotfl:

There was an article in the DS (1/7) today on C-4 about a traffic light at that location. I am pretty sure that is the location. I also read someplace else that they did not approve the bridge.

Z

There is room to build an extension of the current golf cart path. Put it between the road and the water so it goes behind the bank and carts could enter next to Beef O'Gradys. This would not solve the entire problem but would alleviate the problem of carts going left and keep them off the road near Walgreens where it is really dangerous.

However, how would people get to the Colony Rec. Center by car if the road was completely closed from Morse.

John

Now that's a great idea (cart path along the waterway dumping out near Beef O'Brady's) and would solve so many problems at minimal cost. Not all issues resolved, but I bet a good portion.

Thanks. And I love that cat!

Traffic light
 

It seems the discussion can end for now. Today's Daily Sun said that there is going to be a traffic light placed at that location. Let's hope this solves the problem.

I mentioned this to a few people and they thought it a bad idea. Although a traffic light will be installed (today's Daily Sun), I still think the above is a great idea!:pepper2:

Conclusion of an issue has never stopped TOTV posters from continuing to post their opinions..........far fetched as they may seem.:beer3:

Where will the traffic light be located?

From what I can read on this thread, probably where no one wants it.

Z

ok, so at the last meeting it was announced that there would e a bridge built over colony blvd. and in today's daily sun it was announced that a traffic light will be installed. no mention of the bridge. i wonder what next week's solution will be?

I took the time to attend the PWAC (Project-Wide Advisory Committee) meeting yesterday morning due to the critical nature of the Colony Blvd. traffic problem to all of us who frequent that area. Janet Tutt was there. She said that Colony Blvd has a special status that makes it not quite a publicly owned street--it's essentially the responsibility of The Villages district government. As such, if Colony were completely closed off to car traffic, The Villages district government would be financially and legally liable for all costs to the impacted businesses for blocked car traffic to businesses and to Sumter Co for overflow traffic re-routed onto the publicly owned streets (e.g. 466A). For this reason, the PWAC board chose the more fiscally reasonable option to approve installation of a traffic light.

In addition, Janet said the Morse family is amenable to re-looking at the problem again in the future, if the traffic signal light solution proves inadequate to manage traffic flow upon completion of the districts that have not yet been built (district 10 and the new Fruitland Park Village, recently approved).

I think the PWAC has done a fantastic job of exploring the options, getting expert traffic and civil engineering advice, and seeking Villager input. I also applaud the PWAC board for acting promptly to implement a temporary solution, namely hiring Community Watch to direct traffic, just as the danger on Colony Blvd began to increase manifold with the influx of snowbirds. The members of the PWAC have worked cooperatively with the Morse family and it's representatives to provide for our safety. I think they greatly deserve our appreciation and gratitude.

Two questions:

1 - who was it that was responsible for the original design, engineering and construction of this "intersection" ?

2 - is the above party (at a minimum) sharing the cost of the traffic light "solution" ?