Resident calls intersection ‘dangerous,’ says traffic signal is much needed

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – Drivers in the Trinity area have been concerned with driving conditions on State Road 54 and Mitchell Ranch Road for a while.

In fact, some neighborhood residents call it a dangerous intersection.

With more businesses, residents and schools being built in the area, resident Elizabeth Kipphorn said it is time for a traffic light at the intersection.

From her home, she said she can hear the many sirens that respond to crashes at the intersection.

“There’s been a lot of wrecks here,” Kipphorn said. “I hear the fire engines and the rescue squad cars.”

Kipphorn said the crashes are from a combination of high-speed drivers and difficult turns, particularly left turns onto either 54 or Mitchell Ranch Road.

“They (drivers) come around this corner here, this curb, going 60-70 mph,” she said. “You really got to hotfoot it across that intersection.

“You’re taking your life in your hands just to get home from work.”

She said this has become a bigger problem as rapid development continues in the southwest part of Pasco County.

The Florida Department of Transportation is now planning a traffic light at the intersection. Construction is set for this fall.

“Apparently, we have a light coming a few years down the road,” she said. “But that’s not helping us right now. How many more people are going to pass away at this intersection before we can get a light in here.”