PARRISH, Fla. — The small town of Parrish in northern Manatee County isn't so small anymore. With that growth, residents say is a growing traffic problem.
- Traffic problems growing along with small town of Parrish
- Intersection of CR-675 and US-301 becoming deadly
- FDOT to change intersection into a Continuous Green T
"Leaving work during rush hour, it's like the wild wild west out here," said Terry Clekis, owner of North River Animal Hospital. "There are more and more houses being built, Parrish is exploding in growth and there's virtually no change in infrastructure."
Residents say the most dangerous spot is at the intersection of CR-675 and US-301.
Last Thursday, Kenneth Bauer, 54, was riding his motorcycle through the intersection when he was killed in a crash. He was a professor at LECOM in Bradenton.
In June 2018, Ashley Rhodes, 22, was killed driving through the intersection on her way home from work.
"She left work at 6:30 p.m. and she was dead at 6:35 p.m. at this intersection," said Clekis, her former employer. "It's just a life wasted because of a lack of action on the state's part."
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, they are moving forward with plans to turn the intersection into a Continuous Green T. There will be a traffic signal installed that's not a traditional 4-way stop light. Plans also include restricted movements in certain directions and new lanes.
Work isn't expected to begin for a few years, however, residents are hoping to expedite that process.