You probably noticed the long delays in crossing Hwy 19 at the 19th St. and Turkey Oka light. You can sit there for several minutes waiting for the light when there are few cars on Hwy 19. Here is some correspondence on the subject:
Dear Mr. Whitelaw:
I live in Woodland Estates. I have read the letters that members of our
community have posted to you. I appreciate whatever you have been able to do
to resolve the traffic backup caused by the changes in the lights at this
intersection. I have only one suggestion. If the walk signal were to activate
only when a pedestrian pushed a button to walk, the matter would be resolved.
It is RARE that ANY pedestrians cross either Highway 19 or Turkey Oak. The way
it is now, the walk signal activates automatically whenever the light changes,
and we all have to wait for it to change back. The green light to allow people
to drive out onto Highway 19 from 19th Street is VERY short. If a driver
misses the green light, s/he has to wait through another very long red light
before s/he can cross Highway 19.
Thanks for your help.
Ann Williamson
Dear Mr. Whitelaw,
As a resident of Woodland Estates, this intersection is my only ingress/egress from the development unless:
1) I turn left onto Tallahassee Rd, go up to State Park Rd, turn right onto Hwy 19 and come back to the 19th St intersection and again wait for the light to change in my favor.
OR
2) If no cars waiting ahead of me, turn right onto Hwy 19, go to mall entrance, turn left into mall lot, turn left again, go to Turkey Oak Entrance, exit right onto Turkey Oak (at which time the light will still be holding traffic from crossing Hwy 19).
As residents of a waterfront development, we pay increased taxes which support our community. However, the benefit of consideration/convenience goes to nonresidents traveling through (frequently once or twice in their lifetime) rather than those of us who use the intersection daily. We sit, using fuel which we in Citrus County pay an extra tax upon.
It is understandable that at times of morning and evening work traffic the delay should be higher. However, waiting for a light to change when there is no cross traffic is unreasonable. The signal behind Office Max is on a demand pedal, it seems this method would function well at the 19th St/Turkey Oak intersection also.
Sir, it may not have been your decision to initiate changes, however, the buck starts and stops somewhere...if not you...who?
Your attention to this issue will be appreciated by all who must use this intersection regularly.
--
JoAnn B. McCarty
1540 NW 20th Ave
Crystal River, FL 34428
--
Warmest regards,
JoAnn
Mr. Voelz,
We will double check the signal timings and discuss the issue with FDOT. Thanks for your information. David
David C Whitelaw, Director
Road Maintenance Division, Department of Public Works
1300 S. Lecanto Highway
Lecanto, FL 34461
Office: (352) 527-7610
Fax: (352) 527-7607
david.whitelaw@bocc.citrus.fl.us
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Voelz
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2015 8:38 AM
To: DAVID C. WHITELAW
Subject: Re: Turkey Oak Malfunction
Mr. Whitelaw,
Thank you for your response. I appreciate all you do. However, I think it would be a good idea for you and Mr. Robinson to try to cross Hwy 19 on Turkey Oak. I do that several times a day and have to sit at the light for quite a while. There are often more cars backed up on 19th St. or Turkey Oak than the cars on 19. The walk cycle doesn’t even start until a car pulls up. I came home at around 8:00 Pm last night and still had to wait for the count down timer even though there was no traffic at all on Hwy 19. Please take a second look.
Tom Voelz
On Mar 9, 2015, at 5:03 PM, DAVID C. WHITELAW <david.whitelaw@bocc.citrus.fl.us> wrote:
Mr. Voelz,
Please see comments from our Traffic Control Chief below. Please advise if you require additional info. David
David C Whitelaw, Director
Road Maintenance Division, Department of Public Works
1300 S. Lecanto Highway
Lecanto, FL 34461
Office: (352) 527-7610
Fax: (352) 527-7607
david.whitelaw@bocc.citrus.fl.us
-----Original Message-----
From: David W. Robertson
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2015 4:56 PM
To: DAVID C. WHITELAW
Subject: RE: Turkey Oak Malfunction
David,
Recently the traffic signal timings at US19 & Turkey Oak Dr., and several other signals through Crystal River, were evaluated by FDOT. Changes were made by FDOT to the timings to meet the new yellow and red clearance standards. Several of the intersections, including US19 & Turkey Oak Dr., were programmed with a new time of day plan engineered to move vehicle traffic on US19 through Crystal River with minimal delays. The time of day plan uses the "WALK" indication on the pedestrian signal to force the new timings and will be observe during each cycle. During the night time hours, the signal will operate without the time of day plan and the "WALK" indication will only activate when the ped button is pushed. Let me know if you have any further questions.
Thank you,
David Robertson
-----Original Message-----
From: DAVID C. WHITELAW
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2015 6:31 AM
To: David W. Robertson
Cc: PAT M. GATTO
Subject: FW: Turkey Oak Malfunction
David,
Please prepare response to the citizen inquiry. Thanks, David
David C Whitelaw, Director
Road Maintenance Division, Department of Public Works
1300 S. Lecanto Highway
Lecanto, FL 34461
Office: (352) 527-7610
Fax: (352) 527-7607
david.whitelaw@bocc.citrus.fl.us
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Voelz
Sent: Friday, March 06, 2015 3:22 PM
To: DAVID C. WHITELAW
Subject: Turkey Oak Malfunction
The light on Hwy 19 and Turkey Oak takes a long time to change. I noticed that the walk light is operative for each light cycle even when there is no one walking. Maybe the walk button is stuck. It really makes no sense to sit there waiting to cross 19 when there are no cars on it. I hope this note helps you get it fixed.
Tom Voelz
Woodland Estates