[goingtothevillages]

If you've ever driven over the Lake Sumter bridge cart path you realize how narrow (and dangerous) it is. I've been told that when they built the bridge they had normal sized cart paths - but at the last minute the State said they were required to have a pedestrian sidewalk - so they narrowed the cart path and added the sidewalk. Now TV says it is "cost prohibitive" to widen the bridge.

We all should request (on our 2012 Resident Survey) that they add a sidewalk on the outside of the existing wall on the bridge to Sumter Landing. It would be far less expensive than widening the bridge because it would only have to be sturdy enough for walking traffic. Then they could remove the current sidewalk and widen the cart paths back to a normal width. I'm not an engineer but it seems like it would be an inexpensive way to solve a serious problem. A win-win-win for everyone

[buggyone]

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the cart path over the bridge. There are signs that tell you to drive your cart slowly over the bridge. If you do not have a speedometer to tell you 10 mph, just ease up on the accelerator and go slow. There is plenty of room if you take normal caution and do not go barreling through at top speed.

[REDCART]

Agree completely. For the last five years, we've included this comment on our survey but I seriously doubt the developer will ever address the problem. Janet Tutt's last comment on the subject was the Morse bridge is fully compliant with all state and local code requirements...They plan to correct a depression in the roadway caused by a sinking pier and that's it. I wonder if a petition would help but on what basis?

[memason]

Originally Posted by goingtothevillages

If you've ever driven over the Lake Sumter bridge cart path you realize how narrow (and dangerous) it is. I've been told that when they built the bridge they had normal sized cart paths - but at the last minute the State said they were required to have a pedestrian sidewalk - so they narrowed the cart path and added the sidewalk. Now TV says it is "cost prohibitive" to widen the bridge.

We all should request (on our 2012 Resident Survey) that they add a sidewalk on the outside of the existing wall on the bridge to Sumter Landing. It would be far less expensive than widening the bridge because it would only have to be sturdy enough for walking traffic. Then they could remove the current sidewalk and widen the cart paths back to a normal width. I'm not an engineer but it seems like it would be an inexpensive way to solve a serious problem. A win-win-win for everyone

If memory serves...the bridge, like all street in TV, belong to the county. So, for the Morse bridge, you'd have to petition Sumter Co. for any changes.

Could be wrong...maybe someone else knows for sure...

[paulandjean]

Its fine, leave it alone.

[PennBF]

I honestly can't understand why anyone would say that bridge is fine or
leave it alone. We drive over it a lot and have for years and it is an
accident waiting to happen. If you go over the bridge towards Lake Sumter
it is not as much of a threat as if someone forces you off the path you would
go on the walk path. If, however you are going the other way and are
forced to the right and your wheel's hit the curb you have a pretty good
chance of falling into traffic.
I think letters should be sent both to the county and The Village's highlighting this terrible exposure so if there is an accident it can be
established the proper authorities were warned and ignored the problem.

[memason]

Originally Posted by PennBF

I honestly can't understand why anyone would say that bridge is fine or
leave it alone. We drive over it a lot and have for years and it is an
accident waiting to happen. If you go over the bridge towards Lake Sumter
it is not as much of a threat as if someone forces you off the path you would
go on the walk path. If, however you are going the other way and are
forced to the right and your wheel's hit the curb you have a pretty good
chance of falling into traffic.
I think letters should be sent both to the county and The Village's highlighting this terrible exposure so if there is an accident it can be
established the proper authorities were warned and ignored the problem.

If you're so afraid of the bridge, why use it ?? No one is forcing you to risk life and limb to cross that bridge. There are alternatives to using the bridge...

Just sayin' . . .

[goingtothevillages]

I think Memason is probably correct - so I guess I'll do both - the 2012 Resident Survey and the county. Probably won't help but who knows. All I know is that I truly enjoy the normal cart paths but get a few white knuckles going over the bridge - and would feel terrible if someone got hit and thrown out into the road and then hit by a car.

[momesu]

Originally Posted by paulandjean

Its fine, leave it alone.

I think soon there may be a real big problem with the bridge. I'm noticing more and more wider golf carts driving around on the paths. These are not street legal ones as far as I can tell. (They don't sport FL plates.) I consider myself fortunate that I have not encountered any of them on the bridge. If I could get past one there would be precious little clearance for either of us. At some point I'm sure one of the owners of these wider carts will decide to cross the bridge and it won't be pretty.

As to the argument to just not use the bridge there are alternatives, the only alternative I see is to go all the way over to Buena Vista and come back on 466. That is a might long alternative route.

Suzanne

[Applepie]

The Bridge is fine. Leave it as is.

[graciegirl]

If you go ten mph, there is not a problem. When we moved up to 466 I was worried about it, but I must cross it frequently to get where I'm goin'. Take it slow and you will be fine. Don't worry, just concentrate on where you are heading and keeping yourself inside the lines and take it SLOWER.

[aln]

I agree with the "go slow" crowd.

The best complaining will do is the closing of the bridge to golf cart traffic entirely and everyone will have to go to Buena Vista.

Remember.... driving golf carts around here is a PRIVILEDGE!


Hey, here's an idea; southbound for the 1st 30 minutes of an hour and northbound for the last 30.

WAIT . . .that'll probably start 'drag racing' !~

[Pookirgirl]

To all of you who say " The bridge is fine ... leave it alone. "
Have you never encountered a cart in your oncoming lane going over that bridge?? I have.
If you want to go to Spanish Springs in your cart.. you must cross over that bridge ( as far as I know there is no other way). It is a dangerous situation and sooner or later someone is going to encounter a BIG problem. I hope it's not one of you who say "leave it alone, it's not a problem".

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Pookirgirl

To all of you who say " The bridge is fine ... leave it alone. "
Have you never encountered a cart in your oncoming lane going over that bridge?? I have.
If you want to go to Spanish Springs in your cart.. you must cross over that bridge ( as far as I know there is no other way). It is a dangerous situation and sooner or later someone is going to encounter a BIG problem. I hope it's not one of you who say "leave it alone, it's not a problem".

There is another way..................read the above posts.

[PennBF]

The idea of driving at 10mph across the bridge is great. The problem is,
what if the cart coming at you is going 20mph with their leg hanging out
to look macho. We now have a problem..!! I am not worried about my
driving across..I am worried about the idiot crossing at a high speed and
coming towards me. That is the concern. Now lets make it Friday or
Saturday night after a lot of drinking at the squares and that cart path
may look a lot tighter..I continue to believe this if one of the worst paths
in The Villages..