CLERMONT, Fla. – Who’s responsible for fixing that pothole on your daily commute?
In Clermont, the answer might not be as simple as it seems.
After hearing from frustrated residents about traffic issues and road conditions, News 6 took to the streets to investigate.
Many residents did not know who maintains the roads they drive on, and it turns out that confusion is warranted.
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The City of Clermont only owns about 26% of the paved roads within city limits. That’s just 106 miles out of approximately 405 miles of paved roads. The rest are divided among Lake County, the Florida Department of Transportation and private owners.
“People were calling from all over the community,” said Interim City Manager Rick Van Wagner. “It would be in multiple departments that we were getting calls on a regular basis.”
Van Wagner explained that while the city receives frequent complaints, many of the roads residents call about — such as Hancock Road, Hartwood Marsh Road, and Citrus Tower Boulevard — are owned and maintained by Lake County or the state. Private roads, which account for about 187 miles, are typically found in gated communities where the homeowners’ association handles maintenance.
To help clarify ownership, the city created an interactive ownership map titled “Whose Road Is It Anyway?”
The map is color-coded by jurisdiction. Green highlights city roads, red is for Lake County, yellow for state-owned roads, and blue for private streets.
“[The map] gave some clarity to our citizens,” said Van Wagner.
Residents can click on any road to learn who is responsible for its upkeep — and find the correct number to call if there is an issue.
The effort aims to reduce confusion and improve communication among residents, city staff and other government agencies.
To view the full map, click here: