To the Editor:
I’ve lived across from the Paddock Mall, behind the Wells Fargo Bank, for 21 years now. State Road 200 is the only main road out of our neighborhood. I drive a lot for work, therefore I am extremely familiar with the problems on SR 200.
While waiting for the traffic light at Wells Fargo to turn, I used to keep a running tally on “red light runners and speeders.” When the notebook got filled, I stopped counting. I still see these offenders every day.
And now we have the “New 200.” Good grief what were they thinking? Now we have the “U-turners” as targets for the speeders and red light runners. And how many drivers misjudge a u-turn and go up the curb and sidewalk or, even worse, do a “3-4 point turn at the intersection.
Another issue of “grid-lock” adds to the dangerous and illegal acts on SR 200.
And I must also comment on the new “curves and narrowing” put in the road in an attempt to slow traffic.
The new “curb plantings” are not visible while driving, they are a hazard. Notice the tire tracks up the curbs? What could possibly grow in those concrete beds under Florida’s weather that would warrant spending that much money to build and maintain such an unnecessary hazard and useless feature?
The money could have been spent more practically.
I don’t understand how this update to SR 200 is going to in any way help Ocala brace for the biggest nightmare coming: The aftermath of unlimited construction without supportive infrastructure.
To Our City Leaders: Please stop and look around, respect what Ocala was and still has. Please acknowledge that we live in one of the most amazing and beautiful places on Earth by being better stewards of Ocala and it’s nature.
Thank you,
Pat Webb
Ocala