ALL-WAY STOP SIGNS HAVE BEEN PLACED.
The addition of the North Park Isle and Park East housing developments at the north end of Park Road, have greatly increased the number of cars crossing Sam Allen Road at North Park Isle. In the last two years, families have moved into hundreds of new houses. Though stop lights at the intersection were always in the plan, it remained a multiple lane, two-way stop. Drivers have been confused about how to safely navigate the intersection, and Plant City Police Department (PCPD) cars with lights running to direct traffic around wrecks have been a regular sight. In the last six months, twelve crashes have happened at this crossroad.
Both Sam Allen Road and the northern part of Park Park are Hillsborough County roads. “The County is right now managing the project to put a traffic signal at that intersection,” said Bill McDaniel, City Manager of Plant City. The project will be paid for by the developer, North Park Isle, but it is the County’s responsibility to handle the construction of the signal. “It has been in the works for quite some time,” added McDaniel. The process the County goes through to build the signal involves studies, verifying or reconfiguring utilities, and engineering, among other things. The whole project could take 18 to 24 months to be completed. “It’s not just, ‘Go out and stick a couple of poles in the ground and string up a couple of lights,’” McDaniel pointed out.
The City of Plant City has been working with Hillsborough County on the process. “After seeing their timelines, knowing what the issue is up there, I just couldn’t let it go unaddressed,” McDaniel commented. “Something needs to be addressed in the interim to get people to stop there.” The City of Plant City ordered the materials needed for the project some time ago. These recently came in, so the Traffic Department completed the all-way stop project on June 30. The City also erected electronic billboards and warning signs to get the attention of approaching drivers to alert them there is a dangerous intersection ahead. “We are trying to put in an interim measure to improve the overall safety of the intersection while we await the construction of the signal,” McDaniel said. “I know the county is working on the project, but it’s not just overnight. We want to wrestle it into control until the signal is put up.”
The staff of new Board of County Commissioners member Christine Miller quickly responded to an Observer inquiry to find out when construction of the signal will start, and the timeline for completion. The response indicates Hillsborough County legislative staff has been in close communication with their Traffic Engineering Department. So far, the signal warrant study has been completed. The developer consultant has taken the next step and prepared traffic signal plans, which have been submitted to the County for review.
“We deeply understand the community’s concerns regarding the intersection’s design and the urgency for more permanent solutions,” the response reads. “Please rest assured that we are fully committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of our community members. We will continue to keep you informed of progress updates and welcome any further input or feedback you may have.”
