LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – People living in a Lake County retirement community are raising concerns after they say a recent road project has led to a dangerous situation.
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 constructed turn lane barriers on U.S. 27 for a new convenience store, and now drivers coming out of the neighborhood are prevented from turning left.
John Gross, who has lived in the community for nine years, said it’s been difficult to cut across two lanes of traffic to make a U-turn at County Road 33, and also watch for oncoming cars.
“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.