BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Bradford County commissioners had no choice but to accept the ongoing maintenance of what Commissioner Danny Riddick called the “worthless flashing light” at the intersection of State Road 100 and County Road 21B.
The agreement was pulled from the agenda during a previous meeting, but Florida Department of Transportation insisted the county follow through since the commission approved of the installation from the start.
But the commission and others have actively sought full traffic signalization for the intersection, which is considered dangerous because of its location and the amount of traffic on the roads.
The county expressed itself again in a letter to FDOT District 2 Secretary Greg Evans.
“Dear Secretary Evans:
I write as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners of Bradford County, Florida and on their behalf with regard to the above-referenced matter.
As you may be aware, on or about August 2, 2021, our Board preliminarily agreed to provide for the cost of maintaining the flashing beacons and related vehicle loop detection system at the intersection of State Road 100 and Southeast County Road 21B. Today our Board approved a Final Acceptance of Traffic Signal Installation(s) and Transfer of Maintenance pursuant to that earlier, preliminary agreement.
The purpose of this letter however, is to advise you and FDOT that the Board of County Commissioners believes very strongly that the intersection at SR 100 and SE CR 21B must have a full signalization in order to meet the safety needs of our community.
Accidents — including serious and fatal accidents — have regularly occurred at that intersection for many years. More recently, dramatically increased commercial, residential and tourist development in the area of the intersection has occurred and continues to occur. Included in that increased development is the construction and expansion of a Recreational Vehicle park with accommodations for over 800 RVs. This development has obviously exacerbated the ongoing traffic safety concerns at the intersection.
It is the position of our Board that these ongoing traffic safety concerns, serious accidents and deaths will continue at this intersection until FDOT takes the necessary steps to signalize the intersection at SR 100 and SE CR 21B.
Our efforts — both locally by our Board members and staff, our Sheriff and other members of our community as well as at the Legislature through Florida Representative Bobby Payne — have heretofore been unsuccessful. These efforts have failed largely due to the unwillingness of FDOT to recognize the significance of the public safety threat at this intersection and to deviate from its previously established position on the signalization of this intersection. It is our sincere hope that you will instruct your staff to reconsider their position on this matter and take the necessary action to ensure the safety — and quite literally the lives — of our citizens.”
