District I has authorized a study on MMTP along Morse Blvd.
 

District One has contracted the services of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., to perform an alternative evaluation and report
to investigate options that may allow for separation of the existing multi-modal transportation path (MMTP) from the automobile travel way along Morse Boulevard, from CR 466 to just south of El Camino Real/Paige Place (a distance of 2.7 miles +/-), and to investigate options for MMTP operational improvements within the study area.
A previous study was conducted in 2008 before the resurfacing and reconstruction project was performed by Sumter County in 2009.
To the extent possible, this study will be utilized as background information for this Project. Morse Boulevard is owned and maintained by Sumter County. Coordination with Sumter County will be necessary for any improvements proposed within their right-of- way.
Representatives from Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., will
provide the District One Board of Supervisors and Residents with
an overview of the proposed scope of work for this project at the District One Board Meeting, scheduled at 8:00 a.m., on Friday, February 10, 2023, at the Savannah Center Regional Recreation Center. This is an opportunity for residents to ask questions regarding the scope of work of this project, or provide any other information, recommendations, or other feedback which would help Kimley-Horn with the final project delivery.

As reported in District Bulletin
https://www.districtgov.org/PDFView/...20230202001301

I have looked at the land on both sides of the road, as well as existing golf cart paths that could be used. I have no idea of the right of way requirements, or ownership issues, or possible drainage concerns, but it appears that this could be done. However, there will be concerns about how the golf carts will cross the streets that connect to Morse Blvd, in many cases there does not appear to be sufficient land to move the golf cart part away from the intersections. I think this may be one of the biggest problems. I also hope they eliminate or lessen the impacts of the golf cart crossing just North of 466.
It will be interesting to see what comes out of the study.

I drive a cart across that at least 3 times a week, I never liked it, I still don't. It's way too busy.

If they just eliminated that part of it, the rest isn't nearly as bad. A NB cart flyover would be fine with me. SB isn't a big deal, just turn right and off you go. I come out of San Marino so I've got a light...the people in the developments from San Marino to 466 have to cross over and if there was a tunnel or something somewhere, it'd be much better for them.

The meeting is 2/10….

I believe one of the big problems is who is going to bear the cost of such improvements - the Developer. the County, amenity fees and/or a combination of all three? Wonder if there is any safety grant funding from County or State.

I was driving a car on Morse the other day, from 466 to the 441 light, and then again in the other direction. I was wondering about the logistics of putting an MMP along Morse. I wasn't even thinking about how to get across, I was just thinking about running the path somewhere.
The first thing that struck me was how many trees they'd have to cut down, and if they could be replaced. There isn't much room along the sides of Morse for an MMP. One could probably be crammed in there somewhere, but if they have to cut down all of those trees, it will be UGLY.

My guess is that this will turn out to be cost prohibitive , even without esthetics considered.
The good news is that generally, cars don't speed on that road. My experience is that automobile traffic is very mindful of the carts, and generally anticipate that carts will need to cross over at that point southbound before the 466 shack.

Perhaps the simplest, and most cost-effective measure would be to just widen the cart lane so there is a tad more room for both cars and carts. Of course, that might just encourage cars to go faster.

I disagree that cars do not speed and are watchful for carts. I travel that Morse daily as it's the only to get south from where I live. Especially at rush hour auto traffic is way over 30 mph. I know this because after engouh time traveling you can pretty much know what 30 mph looks like passing you. The other issue is landscape trailers that are wider than the towing vehicle. I agree making the cart path wider would help create distance between the cart and the auto.

This will not change. Anyone in the Sawgrass area will tell you the dangers of Meggison Rd - which will be a route to the Florida Turnpike. One lane (and golf cart lane), no lights, no stop signs, and no traffic circles for miles - and no MMTP. When asked. the response is "that is how it is on Morse Blvd North of 466." This is not true, of course. There are lights up north and gated entrances to villages - there are no gate south of Sawgrass. Oh, and there is no turnpike.

Cost of a Life
 

What is the cost of a life? Let's ask the families of Francis Hughes, James Kardis and Barbara Lawless who were killed in golf carts after interfacing with cars. Good thought on safety grant funding.

Join Us! Come to The CDD1 Meeting 2/10 @ 8AM
 

Let our District Supervisors know you want Morse Blvd to be safer. Wear a red shirt so they know you support change for safety.

CDD1, Fri, 2/10, 8AM Savannah Center

https://www.districtgov.org/PDFView/...20230202001301[/QUOTE]

Morse Blvd study
 

About time!

Nice reporting, Bogie, I’m impressed.:beer3:

If many of the golf cart drivers were aware of the danger of being in a cart and quit pulling out in front of cars it might be safer. Traffic is heavy, I used to live off Rio Grande, and am glad I am not there anymore. Plus I saw many carts on the white line driving when they should hug the grassy area, These things would make a difference.

Even though District I is leading this cause, we need all other Districts to show up in support of our efforts. Morse Boulevard affects all Villagers.

The developer has nothing to do with this anymore. It has been turned over to the County decades ago. The deveopler could donate to the cause but that all they could do. The cost would be to the residence of the county (thru property taxes) or the residence of the Villages (thru our fees). Since this is District 1, I am not sure how cost would be allocated in regard to the other district since, I believe, they are not part of the Districts Wide Committee that share major infrastructure and disaster cost across districts.

Stay tuned…….

Five Cheap Solutions
 

A. The first problem is the crossover for S/B carts at Morse and 466. The best solution, and what should have been done initially, is to replace the S/B crossover with a tunnel. If a tunnel is not built, there are three lesser solution.

1. If a tunnel is not built, the guards should never leave either the N/B or S/B gates up. Crossing over S/B when the guard has the N/B gate up is scary as there is a long space between the guard shack and the crossover and autos are at a high speed when they reach the crossover. When the guard has the S/B gate up, auto drivers know they do not have to slow in preparation for stopping at the gate. Unfortunately, the guards leave both gates up when auto traffic is heavy, which is the worst time to do so.

2. If a tunnel is not built, change the placement of the S/B gate so it is before the cross-over and move the cross-over closer to the guard shack. This would cause S/B autos to stop at the gate and allow a cart to cross in front of an auto while the gate is down. It would also leave room for 1-2 S/B carts to safely stop in a median between the N/B and S/B traffic lanes before crossing the N/B auto lane. Of course, the crossover has to be after the two N/B lanes have merged.

3. A better alternative to moving the S/B gate and never leaving either gate up is to install a traffic signal light at the crossover with an embedded sensor to activate a "red" signal for both N/B and S/B autos when a S/B cart is in place and ready to cross over both lanes of Morse .


B. The second problem is interference between autos and carts on the several miles of Morse between 466 and 441. It is unlikely there is sufficient room to install a dedicated multi-modal path separate from Morse. If a dedicated path is installed there would need to be multiple tunnels along the route, which would make the paths cost-prohibitive. The simpler solution is to widen both the N/B and S/B cart paths by 1-2 feet and add Botts Dots or "rumble" strips to the asphalt surface between the auto and cart lanes to warn both auto and cart drivers that they are intruding on the other's lane. The Botts Dots need to be of the reflective type so they show up clearly at night. If "rumble strips" are installed in the asphalt, reflective markers need to be added at regular intervals.

Although I do not perceive there to be a problem with carts entering the auto lanes to make turns onto/off of Morse at the intersections between 446 and 441, separate traffic signals can be installed for autos and for carts. These would give separate signals to autos and carts and would give a red signal to autos while giving a green "arrow" signal to carts to allow them to make a left turn or a red "arrow" to prevent carts from making a turn. There are "directional lens" which can only be seen by drivers in their respective lanes.

The meeting is 2/10.

I'll be skiing in Colorado. If you agree with my comments, feel free to make them known at the meeting. Any decent traffic engineer will think of the same solutions and, probably, several more.

The S/B crossover is scary. In addition, until you have passed through it several times, it comes up quickly. On two occasions, I have seen a cart go past the crossover, through the gate and end up at the 466/Morse intersection. Now that is a scary thought.

Another time I was on the tee box of the Tierra Del Sol hole that parallels Morse on the East. There was a loud "thump" and a screech of brakes. One player laughed and said some fool forgot to strap in his golf bag. All of us peeked through the bushes and saw a man jump out of the cart and run around the back. At the same time, a woman stood up from the pavement and started screaming at him. What happened was that he went past the turn for the crossover and made a sharp left, throwing the woman from the cart. All in all, a condemnation of both the roadway design and a failure to wear a seat belt.

I'm glad you brought that up.

We played golf at MickeyLee (a very nice golf course) on Monday and drove home along Meggison Road. I was going the speed limit 30 mph and a truck followed about a foot behind me. I kept going the same speed until I reached the Sawgrass roundabout, when he went to the inside lane and whizzed past me.

Before we moved here in 2016, I had read about the difficulties driving on Morse north of 466, so we never considered buying a house that would lead to us driving on that road.

Maybe some people will heed your warning about Meggison Road and not buy a house along the 2-lane section of that road.