LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Residents of a retirement community in Lake County are expressing worries about a hazardous situation created by a recent road project.
Drivers leaving Lake Harris Landing were previously able to turn left out of the neighborhood to go south on U.S. 27.
In 2024, the Florida Department of Transportation installed turn lane barriers on U.S. 27 to accommodate a new convenience store. As a result, drivers leaving the neighborhood can no longer make left turns.
John Gross, a nine-year resident of the community, explained that it has become challenging to navigate through two lanes of traffic to execute a U-turn at County Road 33 while also being cautious of incoming vehicles.
“It’s become quite dangerous,” Gross said. “We’ve had several residents who have been involved in accidents as a result of these changes.”
Gross said neighbors are also concerned the situation could get worse as more people are moving to the area.
“In the nine years I’ve been here, it’s been an astronomical increase in traffic,” Gross said. “Now with all the additional housing that’s going to be built here in this area, it’s going to get even worse.”
Gross said after a meeting with project leaders, FDOT pledged to install warning signs to help with speed, but so far the state hasn’t delivered on that promise.
“They were going to post a double-posted crossroad sign and a 45 mph advisory speed,” Gross said. “I’d just like to see the promises that they made kept.”
FDOT has not responded to an email asking why the installments weren’t made or if they will happen.
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