OXFORD — Sumter County is conducting a study to evaluate alternatives for intersection improvements at County Road 466 and U.S. 301.
“The primary concerns that necessitated improvements were traffic congestion and safety concerns at the intersection,” Matthew Tadlock, Sumter County’s assistant public works director for planning and design, told the Daily Commercial.
Tadlock said in the last three years, there have been 61 crashes at the intersection, including 36 non-injury crashes, but no fatalities.
To get a sense of how the public feels about the intersection and any proposed changes, Sumter officials have invited drivers and pedestrians who frequently access the intersection to attend a public workshop on Wednesday, July 30, to provide their input on the proposed project and its alternatives.
Preliminary alternatives have been developed and evaluated based on construction and right-of-way costs. Cost estimates have been prepared for all proposed improvements, ranging from around $4.6 million to $8.7 million.
County Road 466 widening alternatives include:
· Alternative 1: Widen County Road 466 along both the north and south sides of the roadway.
· Alternative 2: Widen County Road 466 along the north side only.
· Alternative 3: Widen County Road 466 along the south side only
The U.S. 301 widening alternative includes widening the highway along both the east and west sides of the roadway.
“This alternative, combined with any of the three County Road 466 alternatives, would be required to accommodate the projected traffic volumes through the year 2045,” a public works memo said.
Sumter-area Reddit users have commented on traffic congestion on U.S. 301 in the Oxford area. Some attribute problems to the increasing number of winter residents and the rapid development of the Orlando metro area and The Villages.
Many have complained that during peak hours, when Interstate 75 traffic is backed up after an accident, the intersection gets spillover congestion.
An informal open house to discuss the proposed improvements will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, at Belvedere Library, Conference Room 120, 325 Belvedere Blvd., The Villages.
According to a county press release, “attendees will have the opportunity to view maps, drawings and project handouts, and project representatives will be available to discuss the study and answer any questions.”
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: ‘Informal open house’ on July 30 to discuss improvements to U.S. 301 and County Road 466
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
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