Traffic light slated for Horizon West intersection

HORIZON WEST  It’s about to become easier for drivers to get in and out of Summerport Village via Bluebird Pond Road.

Orange County Traffic Engineering staff confirmed a traffic signal for the intersection of Winter Garden Vineland Road and Bluebird Pond Road/Magnolia Park Court is currently in the design process.

Some Summerport Village residents who frequent the two roads said the median area is confusing and that crossing multiple lanes of traffic when turning left onto Winter Garden Vineland Road can be dangerous.

John Klimovitch, a traffic engineer for Orange County, said that the traffic signal was approved by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners March 7. The signal warrant study showed that three required warrants were met.

According to county documents, the study consisted of “an evaluation of existing field conditions, including delays, sight distance, 24-hour traffic volumes by time of day, traffic thresholds and crash history.” 

Sgt. Kim Montes, public affairs officer for Florida Highway Patrol, said preliminary data shows 24 crashes at the intersection within the last three years — eight occurred in 2015, 13 in 2016 and three so far this year.

For a traffic signal to be warranted, it must meet at least one of the eight traffic-signal warrants listed by the county. In this case, the traffic-signal warrant analysis concluded that conditions at the intersection satisfied Warrant 1 (eight-hour vehicular volume), Warrant 2 (four-hour vehicular volume) and Warrant 7 (crash experience).

“Design will take about four months, and construction about six months,” John Klimovitch said. “We expect the signal will be in operation late spring or early summer next year.”

Contact Danielle Hendrix at [email protected].