Public Comments

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October- November 2003

 Comments received on the website

• Yes I think you should widen it because it is getting to busy for the east/west bound traffic in the area. Kenneth C. Hary, Altoona , FL

• The Florida Trail Association is the principal partner with USDA Forest Service in building, maintaining and protecting the Florida National Scenic Trail and has a vested interest in this project.   We would greatly appreciate being kept in the loop and are willing to assist.   Happy trails! Deborah R. Stewart-Kent, Gainesville , FL

Comments received at Task Force meeting on October 1, 2003

• Please consider designating SR 40 as a National Scenic Byway.   There are design criteria for these, including information kiosks, other things to help people understand the environment of the road.   There is funding available.   Evacuation should not be a concern here – the state is moving toward handling this through alternative accommodations.   Also, use traffic calming devices. Darlene Weesner,   SHASTA (Shady, Historic and Scenic Trails Association), Ocala

November –December 2003

No public comments were offered at the November 12, 2003 meeting.  

December – January 2004

Comments received on the website

• I really can't understand why such a busy traveled road as SR 40 can't be four-laned it is a very dangerous road.    I see that SR 44 in Citrus County is being widened and there were never as many people on it as there are on 40.

Nancy Carr, Ocala , FL

Comments received at Task Force meeting on December 11, 2003

• The requirement to four-lane from here to Deltona needs to be accelerated.   People are being killed.   This should be the same as I-10 to Tallahassee .   Delaying four-laning is ridiculous for residents and businesses.   Can’t understand why you are delaying.   We should have a bumper sticker:   “Pray for me, I’m driving SR 40 east.” Bill Griscom, Ocala , FL
• The count of bears over the years has increased from 100 to over 400.   We don’t know what the maintenance population should be.   Forest management should be predicated upon ability to maintain a healthy number of bears. Robin Lewis, Ocala National Forest resident
• The Speed limit has been increased recently from 45 to 55 mph.   The drivers are going 80-90 mph.   Twenty years ago, there was discussion of 45 mph and sidewalks.   Fences help to keep bear out of homes and properties.   I would like to see the speed limit put back to 45 mph. Joyce Porter, resident

January – March 2004

 Comments received at Task Force meeting on February 18, 2004

• SR 40 was designated by the governor to be an emergency evacuation route.   This has not been done.   SR 44 should be four-lanes.
  G. E. Garrison, area resident

• Improvements on the road should include markers, passing lanes, and turning lanes.   I almost got hit by a camper recently. The speed limit is 45 to 55, but we all do 70.   You take your life in your hands on that road.   At the light at Winn Dixie, if you want to take a left you have to wait through 2 or 3 lights, because of the amount of traffic coming at you.
  James Valliera, area resident
   
• I am an eleven-year resident, taxpayer, and registered voter.   The four-laning of SR 40 has been delayed too long.   The accidents with bears and deer are ridiculous.   My son was hit by a deer.   The road should be put on fast track and four-laned from Ocala to Daytona.
  Bill Griscom, Ocala , FL

March – May 2004

• Bill Griscom, Ocala , FL provided oral and written comments. The comments below were taken directly from a memo directed to Sara Forelle, project coordinator at FAU.

Sara,

I congratulated the committee on the safety issues addressed to date:

• Recommend that SR40, from Ocala to Daytona be four (4) laned at a fast pace instead of at no pace at all.
• Interstate roads run the full length of Florida , North/South

 

 

Florida at Gainesville area, approximately 140 miles wide.   The six (6) four (4) and (six) lane intereste roads North and South averge 23.3 miles apart.   Average Interstate road miles North to South equals 432 miles.  

• Interstate roads running East/West

 

Total miles from Miami to Georgia line is approximately 400 miles.   Therefore this equals the road average of 133 miles apart.   The average Interstate mileage East/West is 189 miles.

Note:   Alligator Alley (I-75) is in Big Cypress National Preserve.

• The EFS data lists SR40 between Ocala and Daytona – the most dangerous road in Florida .   It is a shame that residents, tax payers are afraid to travel RS40 East in this time period 2004.
• There are four (4) lane roads and Interstate roads in National Forest all over the United States .   I personally have traveled several of them by automobile.

Comments not discussed at this subject meeting.

• The SR40 Environment Study started in 1994 and should have been completed with in five (5) years per the publication “Defenders of Wildlife” established in 1947 and issued in May 2003.
• Some residents that live on SR40 East have bumper sticker that says “Pray for me I drive 40 East daily.”
• All other comments are covered in letter dated March 29, 2004 .   If you have any questions or comments please advise.

Regards,

Bill G. Griscom

July 2004

Bill G. Griscom
3791 SE 45th Place, Ocala, Florida 33480-7373
T 352-352-3052
F 352-351-1491
E-Mail bgriscom@msn.com

TO: SR 40 ENVIRONMENTAL FEASIBILITY STUDY DATE: 7/28/2004

ATTENTION: Ms. Sara Lira Forelle, AICP, Research Associate
Center for Urban & Environmental Salutions (CUES) at Florida Atlantic University
111 East Los Olas Boulevard, Suite 709, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

SUBJECT: EFS MEETING 7/26/2004, OCALA, FLORIDA COMMENTS

I continue to take a strong position towards converting SR 40 to a 4 lane road. This should be on a fast track and as of the close of Monday’s meeting it continues to be in the NO TRACK mode. Let’s not forget that these discussions started in 1994

Yet again there is still no decision to proceed to protect the safety of the Florida residents, tourists and commercial traffic choosing to travel this dangerous road. Not only is there not a final decision to proceed, no estimates have been submitted for the costs associated with the construction or timeline. NO PROGRESS.

To add salt to the wound, documentation clearly designates SR 40 as a scenic highway and is causing further delays rather than addressing the immediate and furture needs.

On 2/20/2004, the Star-Banner newspaper did a Marion County Pulse question - “Should State Road East from Silver Springs to Volusia County be widened?”

Yes = 83.5% No = 15.4%

One would think that the opinion of the residents would clearly be understood by those parties reading the numbers.

Every day I speak with residents who boldly state they will not travel SR40. Recently, a resident told me that they would not travel the road again, that it is hazardous and that they found it extremely dangerous traveling at night.

I must reiterate at this point the fact that the EFS data clearly demonstrates that SR 40 is the most dangerous road traveled in the entire state of Florida. If logic were to prevail, one would expect that the safety of those utilizing SR 40 would be addressed in an expeditious manner.

As stated in the Star-Banner article dated Sunday, March 14, 2004, from 2000 to 2003 there have been 330 crashes resulting in 15 fatalities along the 25 mile stretch from Silver Springs to the Marion/Lake County line.

HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN 2004? HOW MANY MORE WILL HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN?

Sincerely,

B. G. Griscom