A Hernando County intersection many call “dangerous" could be getting a makeover. The Florida Department of Transportation says a roundabout will make traffic flow safer and easier. Area drivers, however aren't convinced it's the right move.

  • FDOT says roundabout on U.S. 98 at Citrus Way will aid traffic flow
  • Not enough traffic to warrant a traffic light, officials said
  • Residents worry about trucks taking roundabout at higher speeds

The sounds of cars and trucks flying by is hard to miss as you drive along U.S. 98 in northern Hernando County.

For drivers coming up on Citrus Way, traffic on 98 doesn't have to stop, which they say makes the intersection very dangerous.

"So every time I come up that hill I think, 'Ok, if anything's coming just sit tight,'" said driver Susan Lee. "It's just a very frightening situation. You don't know what people are going to do, you can't anticipate what they're doing."

There have been dozens of accidents at the intersection over the past few years, and even some deaths, as is evident from the handful of memorials lining the busy road.

To make things safer, FDOT has proposed putting in a roundabout here to limit the risk of T-bone type crashes.

Photo: Florida Department of Transportation

While people who live in the area and travel through the intersection often say they're glad this intersection is being addressed, they aren't so sure a roundabout is the right first step.

"Truck traffic is driving at least 55, 60 miles an hour," said resident David Jollifee. "These are mostly 18 wheelers hauling rock concrete from CEMEX. To ask these trucks and this traffic that's traveling at this speed with the amount of weight ... what's wrong with a traffic light? That's what traffic lights are for."

FDOT said there will be an extension within the roundabout to accommodate trucks. But, that brings up another concern for residents -- the amount of space it would take up.

"You'd have to acquire land from property owners here, which is going to require another expense," Jolliffe explained.

"It seems like an overkill -- why don't we try a light first and see what happens?" Lee added.

FDOT said there isn't enough traffic in the area to warrant a light, which is why they decided to go with the roundabout. The proposed project, budgeted at $1.4 million, would start construction in 2020.

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Bay News 9 has partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation on its “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow” campaign. The idea is to make sure we’re all sharing the road with people who walk or ride their bikes, and everyone makes it where they need to be safely. FDOT has all kinds of resources for you on alerttodayflorida.com.