WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Residents along Marsh Road in Winter Garden are voicing concerns about worsening traffic congestion after city leaders approved a major residential and commercial development near a roadway officials acknowledge is already operating at a failing level.
The Winter Garden City Commission recently voted unanimously to approve a development that includes 613 homes and additional commercial space near Marsh Road, a two-lane roadway that city officials say is struggling and is at a failing level of service.
According to city data presented during the commission meeting, more than 24,000 vehicle trips traveled along Marsh Road each day last year. FDOT Officials note that a “LOS F” could mean a road is operating at a failing level of service and/or that traffic demand exceeds the road’s capacity.
“We need to have a solution for that,” Mayor John Rees said before commissioners approved the project.
[WATCH: Concerns and debate dominate over Winter Garden development proposal]
For nearby residents, the decision has intensified concerns about traffic conditions that they say have worsened as the area has grown.
“It gets backed up considerably,” said resident John Colom.
Colom and other community members argued that future development should be slowed until infrastructure improvements are identified and implemented.
“Until you can show other improvements that don’t show us capped out, all future developments should be on hold,” Colom said during the public discussion.
City leaders said developers cannot be required to fix pre-existing road issues. Instead, officials said they are exploring possible improvements, including additional roadway connections, traffic signals and a roundabout.
Some residents remain skeptical that those measures will adequately address congestion.
“A roundabout is not going to improve capacity,” one resident said during the meeting. “A roundabout is going to elevate conflict and slow traffic flow.”
The approved development has renewed broader discussions about balancing growth with infrastructure needs in one of Central Florida’s fastest-growing areas.
Some who live in Winter Garden say they are not opposed to development itself but want transportation improvements to keep pace with growth.
“Let’s do the infrastructure, do the roadwork analysis,” Colom said. “It’s not about not developing. It’s about doing it responsibly.”
News 6 requested a comment from the city regarding residents’ concerns about roadway improvements and future development decisions, but that request was not immediately answered. A city spokesperson said staff members were on vacation this week.