[jcgolfs]

I also would like to see a 4 way stop on a trial base. Not as much traffic as Colony, the 4 way stop at Mulberry Shopping Center seems to be working well. Let's give it a inexpensive trial.

[CFrance]

There is the issue of people not knowing who's next at a four-way, and hesitating, or waving others on out of turn, etc. etc. I doubt they would go the expense of erecting a four-way on a trial basis. It would probably have to be up for a year or more.

I think the Developer probably has a good handle on what would work and what wouldn't. I like the roundabout idea. If it's only a one-lane roundabout, nobody can cut anybody off inside the roundabout and traffic would keep moving. And since Colony is only one lane wide each way, it makes sense that the roundabout would only be one lane.

[BobnBev]

An accident in a one lane roundabout would bring traffic
to a standstill.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

An accident in a one lane roundabout would bring traffic
to a standstill.

So would an accident in the middle of a four-way stop sign intersection.

[justjim]

The Developer created the problem (poor planning/design) let him fix it. Sometimes we need to "tell it like it is"----my Dad use to say that.

[JBarracks]

As this has been suggested many times, I'm sure that blocking Colony Blvd. at Morse has been discussed with those that make these kinds of decisions, but, I've yet to hear the reasoning as to why this is not the best solution. Yes, I'm sure that there are good reasons for not blocking the intersection. Just curious.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by JBarracks

As this has been suggested many times, I'm sure that blocking Colony Blvd. at Morse has been discussed with those that make these kinds of decisions, but, I've yet to hear the reasoning as to why this is not the best solution. Yes, I'm sure that there are good reasons for not blocking the intersection. Just curious.

Why restrict traffic when you can regulate it and keep it open for all?

[cabo35]

A bridge or tunnel would provide the safest solution to the traffic flow problem. They both come with extraordinary cost, maintenance and design issues (engineers, feel free to elaborate on utility relocation, costly and complicated multiple turning movement pattern designs and construction, height clearance issues for cars and trucks and long term maintenance specifics). Remember, the bridge/ tunnel options resolve north/south, east/west flow. What effect would it have on turning patterns with cars coming off the path onto the roadway or those accessing the bridge/tunnel from the roadway? Cloverleafs? At buildout, the flow will be greater than it is today.

The four way stop solution is clearly the cheapest but given the traffic volumes at peak hours, it would cause more problems than it solves. When the area is fully developed, I doubt the four way stop will resolve the problem and will likely exacerbate it. Just a humble opinion.

A traffic control signal with solar panels to supplement power supply and reduce recurring maintenance costs seems to be a fiscally responsible approach to the problem. The question I have is legal. Does Florida law permit traffic control devices where roadways and cart paths force cars and carts to commingle. It's mute with street legals but most Villages golf carts are not street legal. Enter the legal eagles please.

Of course there may be government regulations found in codes such as the Manual on Traffic Devices that may or may not permit the installation of devices to solve the problem. Is it a public road or private property? If it is a public road, there are copious state and federal codes and warrants that must be complied with. If they are private, local police cannot enforce red light or stop sign violations. That would seem to make any traffic control device, light or stop sign superfluous.

It is not my intention to cloud the issue…..just to point out the complexity of the realities that need to be considered for an informed solution.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by cabo35

A bridge or tunnel would provide the safest solution to the traffic flow problem. They both come with extraordinary cost, maintenance and design issues (engineers, feel free to elaborate on utility relocation, costly and complicated multiple turning movement pattern designs and construction, height clearance issues for cars and trucks and long term maintenance specifics). Remember, the bridge/ tunnel options resolve north/south, east/west flow. What effect would it have on turning patterns with cars coming off the path onto the roadway or those accessing the bridge/tunnel from the roadway? Cloverleafs? At buildout, the flow will be greater than it is today.

The four way stop solution is clearly the cheapest but given the traffic volumes at peak hours, it would cause more problems than it solves. When the area is fully developed, I doubt the four way stop will resolve the problem and will likely exacerbate it. Just a humble opinion.

A traffic control signal with solar panels to supplement power supply and reduce recurring maintenance costs seems to be a fiscally responsible approach to the problem. The question I have is legal. Does Florida law permit traffic control devices where roadways and cart paths force cars and carts to commingle. It's mute with street legals but most Villages golf carts are not street legal. Enter the legal eagles please.

Of course there may be government regulations found in codes such as the Manual on Traffic Devices that may or may not permit the installation of devices to solve the problem. Is it a public road or private property? If it is a public road, there are copious state and federal codes and warrants that must be complied with. If they are private, local police cannot enforce red light or stop sign violations. That would seem to make any traffic control device, light or stop sign superfluous.

It is not my intention to cloud the issue…..just to point out the complexity of the realities that need to be considered for an informed solution.

There are some traffic signals in TV where carts have to come out of the diamond lane and commingle with traffic to go through the intersection. One such example is at St. Charles and Bailey Trail. Those are not privately owned streets, so perhaps that answers the legality question.

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by CFrance

There are some traffic signals in TV where carts have to come out of the diamond lane and commingle with traffic to go through the intersection. One such example is at St. Charles and Bailey Trail. Those are not privately owned streets, so perhaps that answers the legality question.

You can hire a lot of Deputy's for $400,000.

[AriaGrandparents2013]

I have responded several times with posts advocating a tunnel solution. Tunneling beneath Colony Blvd. to accommodate golf cart traffic can be accomplished by extending the current tunnel grade beneath Route 466A northerly to the Colony Blvd. location. The vertical clearance required to pass a golf cart is considerably less (10') than if you were bridging over Colony Blvd (16' for vehicles plus depth of bridge would result in a total grade to grade difference of probably 25')......the approach roadways for a tunnel would be less disruptive to adjacent areas.

Most importantly tunnels, as is the case at numerous Village crossing is a proven solution to alleviate traffic conflicts at intersection of heavily traveled roadways and golf cart paths. During construction......it'll be a "temporary inconvenience for a permanent solution". Lastly with continued home construction and expansion of The Villages south of Route 466A vehicle usage of this area will only increase significantly.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

You can hire a lot of Deputy's for $400,000.

I don't understand your reply quoting my post. I never advocated spending $400,000 to fix the problem. A roundly is $200,000, as is a traffic signal. I don't advocate spending a. Mil on a bridge. Either stop signs or the developer,s idea. However, I think his ideas would work better and still be cheaper than a tunnel. No merging required.

[e-flyer]

I rate them in this order by cost:
1. Block off car traffic at Colony Rec. Center.
2. 4-way stop signs. I don't understand why a 4-way stop sign won't work. If folks don't understand how to navigate a 4-way stop sign, their Fl. license should be revoked. It's one of the basics taught when you first learned to drive.
3. A 4-way traffic light.
4. Continue to pay to have a person direct traffic during peak hours.
5. A tunnel or bridge at last resort, with these two methods you would still have to merge golf carts when they wanted turn to go to Colony Plaza.

[lightworker888]

I still don't see how a roundabout would work in this configuration when you have the golf cart paths and the roadway intersecting. There is no merging safely or easily into the roundabout at that crossing as I see it. If there is one lane, then are the carts and cars behind each other? Maybe it could work if there was an adjacent cart lane and the one car lane. Perhaps that is what you were thinking of. Just pondering........

LW 888

[Challenger]

Originally Posted by e-flyer

I rate them in this order by cost:
1. Block off car traffic at Colony Rec. Center.
2. 4-way stop signs. I don't understand why a 4-way stop sign won't work. If folks don't understand how to navigate a 4-way stop sign, their Fl. license should be revoked. It's one of the basics taught when you first learned to drive.
3. A 4-way traffic light.
4. Continue to pay to have a person direct traffic during peak hours.
5. A tunnel or bridge at last resort, with these two methods you would still have to merge golf carts when they wanted turn to go to Colony Plaza.

Sounds about right to me
There is no way that a bridge will cost only $400,000. and tunnel will be equally or more expensive over time. Costs for maintenance and damage caused to structures by careless drivers, vandalism, etc .Closings for who knows what from time to time. These are not good options.

Quite often the most simple remedy for a situation is the best. Of course, architects and engineers want to build. If you want to get down to earth advice on the eventual outcome of a project, talk to a public works director who has to keep the thing open and running , year after year.And do it on budget.

IMHO , a nice flower bed, barrier at Colony Rec will do fine.