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PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Development often builds outward, as it has often been seen in the Bay area. Pasco and Polk counties are growing, and growing fast.
As more people move to the area, that means more traffic. That includes roads like State Road 54 in Pasco County.
For drivers turning onto 54 from Starkey Boulevard during the morning rush, they can be stuck in a lot of delays.
When Randy Labonte first moved to Pasco County 18 years ago, things looked a lot different on SR 54.
“It was definitely a lot lighter than it is now,” he said.
His turn from Starkey Boulevard to 54 used to be easier in the morning. Now, he has to plan around it.
“Close to half a mile in the morning around 7:30, 8. People are trying to get to work. And they’ll sit at this light four or five cycles before they can get through,” he said.
That’s because most drivers are turning left to head toward Veterans Expressway or Interstate 75.
The problem is, there is just one turn lane they can use. The other turn lane just goes to the right.
“You got a schedule. You gotta be somewhere,” Labonte said. “People are cutting in front of you. They’re running that lane all the way to the end and cutting in front.
“Road rage is being built into the road, if you ask me. It’s not necessary to have that kind of an issue.”
With increased development off of Starkey Boulevard, he is concerned the issue will only get worse.
“They’re building 3,500 new homes. That’s going to put a lot more traffic on the road in the mornings,” he said.
Labonte feels there is an easy solution: Turn the right turn lane into a right or left turn option, since most drivers aren’t heading right during the morning rush.
“Turn that right lane into both turns. Left and right so people can keep moving. There’s no straight ahead. It’s just left or right. So make that right lane turn left or right,” he said.
Pasco County officials told Spectrum News they are aware of the traffic issues and will look into Labonte’s solution.
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Tim Wronka
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