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Residents press commissioners on U.S. 441 safety; commission considers DOT workshop
Summary
During public comment and applicant Q&A the commission heard multiple residents describe accidents and near-misses on U.S. 441 and requested more study and physical barriers; a commissioner said the city manager and vice mayor would pursue a workshop with FDOT to address corridor safety.
Multiple residents raised safety concerns about U.S. 441 during the March 27 City Commission meeting, urging action after several crashes and near-misses on the corridor that bisects High Springs.
Resident Andy Sleuski, who owns property near Winn-Dixie, said he has witnessed serious collisions and described two recent incidents, including a bicyclist struck and dragged along the highway. "I'm concerned about the safety of this stretch," he said, and asked whether speed reductions, increased enforcement or other measures could help.
Other residents from Ashton Ridge and adjacent subdivisions echoed the safety concerns, saying they often must perform U-turns to access northbound traffic and that semi-truck activity at Tractor Supply increases the risk. "This has only gotten worse since the Tractor Supply went in and the Anytime Fitness," Petra Townsend said. Laura Sanders, who lives in Ashton Ridge, told the commission she can hear accidents from her backyard and suggested McDonald—s consider fencing similar to Tractor Supply—s fence to reduce light and sound intrusion.
A commissioner responded that the stretch of 441 "has become increasingly problematic," said he had "almost got t-boned a couple weeks ago," and that the city manager and the vice mayor had discussed holding a workshop with the Florida Department of Transportation. The commissioner said he wanted to know why there is no school zone designation at a particular location.
Commissioners did not take a formal vote on any traffic measure during the meeting. Staff and commissioners said the city would pursue conversations with FDOT about possible roadway improvements and the commission asked staff to monitor any FDOT responses tied to projects such as the McDonald—s site plan that include turn-lane work.
