[Sandtrap328]

I was coming back home in my car about noon today, I was on Buena Vista northbound and waiting for the left turn arrow to go onto Southern Trace.

While the North and South traffic was stopped by the red light, 3 golf carts crossed Buena Vista from the Saddlebrook side to the Polo Ridge side. They obviously did not want to take the designated detour to the Belvedere Tunnel now that the Saddlebrook Tunnel is closed for repairs.

Waiting for them on the other side was a Sumter County Deputy. He signaled all three carts to the grassy area and was talking with them. Hopefully, he just warned them what they did was illegal. Otherwise, he could charge them with a variety of citations costing a few hundred dollars.

To me, it seems that an exception should have been made for the month the repair is being done. A sign could have been put up instructing cart drivers they could cross Buena Vista at that spot while obeying the traffic light.

[manaboutown]

Cite them. Fine them.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Cite them. Fine them.

Too dangerous, I concur.


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[Ooper]

But yet, just a quarter mile north on BV at the next stop light, it is perfectly ok to cross under the same exact circumstances... go figure! Bureaucracy at it's best.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Ooper

But yet, just a quarter mile north on BV at the next stop light, it is perfectly ok to cross under the same exact circumstances... go figure! Bureaucracy at it's best.

Where is this? The only other stop light on Buena Vista north of Saddlebrook is at 42.

[ureout]

I think they mean El Camino Real and Enrique Dr... the powes to be say its unsafe crossing at the light in a golf cart but it's ok to cross on a bicycle or motorized wheel chair ....

[Trayderjoe]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

I was coming back home in my car about noon today, I was on Buena Vista northbound and waiting for the left turn arrow to go onto Southern Trace.

While the North and South traffic was stopped by the red light, 3 golf carts crossed Buena Vista from the Saddlebrook side to the Polo Ridge side. They obviously did not want to take the designated detour to the Belvedere Tunnel now that the Saddlebrook Tunnel is closed for repairs.

Waiting for them on the other side was a Sumter County Deputy. He signaled all three carts to the grassy area and was talking with them. Hopefully, he just warned them what they did was illegal. Otherwise, he could charge them with a variety of citations costing a few hundred dollars.

To me, it seems that an exception should have been made for the month the repair is being done. A sign could have been put up instructing cart drivers they could cross Buena Vista at that spot while obeying the traffic light.

Plenty of discussion on this in a recent thread:

Saddlebrook-multi-modal-tunnel-closure

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Cite them. Fine them.

Agree. I believe that one of the respondents to the linked email chain indicated that he planned to cross in a similar fashion. If the detour is that much of an inconvenience, then drive or wait until the repairs are completed if using a golf cart is a must or accept the consequences which I hope is only a traffic ticket or two and not a life changing event.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by ureout

I think they mean El Camino Real and Enrique Dr... the powes to be say its unsafe crossing at the light in a golf cart but it's ok to cross on a bicycle or motorized wheel chair ....

Some cars really are going fast on El Camino Real. 40 mph seems about an average speed there.

[Ooper]

Originally Posted by photo1902

Where is this? The only other stop light on Buena Vista north of Saddlebrook is at 42.

Yup, sorry, meant to turn off BV onto ElCamino. But the situation is exactly the same, maybe even worse because it is a straightaway and the speed trend to be higher. But it was approved anyway, years ago.

[Chatbrat]

In Fl you can not get fined for more than 5mph or less over the posted speed limit, you get a warning--this applies to cars/trucks--not golf carts

[Ooper]

Well apparently the county had a change of heart. Heading south on Buena Vista, there is a detour sign right in front of the barricade to the closed tunnel directing you across the intersection through the stop light to the other side. No cops and everybody is utilizing that directive. Looks like somebody at the county offices finally woke up!

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I like consistency and am dismayed that no one has played the "you're retired, what's the rush?" card.

[Ooper]

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix

I like consistency and am dismayed that no one has played the "you're retired, what's the rush?" card.

Don't be dismayed... be happy. it already has been done in a previous post.

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by Ooper

Well apparently the county had a change of heart. Heading south on Buena Vista, there is a detour sign right in front of the barricade to the closed tunnel directing you across the intersection through the stop light to the other side. No cops and everybody is utilizing that directive. Looks like somebody at the county offices finally woke up!

Interesting... have to be careful in a cart coming south, taking a left into Saddlebrook, especially if carts stack up on the cart path. Normally we cross Southern Trace (S.T) gate while light is red to S.T. or all cars are gone. Now it will be green and need to carefully watch for cars entering and exiting S.T.

I reckon we will find out...

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Ooper

Well apparently the county had a change of heart. Heading south on Buena Vista, there is a detour sign right in front of the barricade to the closed tunnel directing you across the intersection through the stop light to the other side. No cops and everybody is utilizing that directive. Looks like somebody at the county offices finally woke up!

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...00-post31.html

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

Whether the 'allow' crossing on Saddlebrook across BV to Southern Trace or not, unless the cops are posted there... people will be doing just that. I know I will be.

In fact, when I first moved here I missed the semi-hidden cart path leading to the tunnel and did exactly that more than a couple of times. There is a traffic signal there, so it's not all that dangerous anyway.

A neighbor told me of their grandson who did some roof damage to their normal sized golf cart, by not swinging wide enough while entering from the east side.

You can look at the crown (corner of the arch) when entering the tunnel from the east and see where many people have done the exact same thing and hit the sides of their roofs. I always hug the left wall before turning, as it is one of the tightest fits of any of the tunnels in TV.

My guess is that they will either be moving the left side wall back so that a wider arc can be made entering the east side of the tunnel, or they will shave off a little of the east corner entering the tunnel so it's not so square... or if they're smart, doing BOTH.