Ocoee leaders tackle traffic concerns about Hackney Prairie Road

The Ocoee City Commission discussed a variety of potential solutions to traffic concerns on Hackney Prairie Road during its Nov. 16 meeting.

At the commission’s Oct. 5 meeting, Commissioner George Oliver shared a video of an ATV operator and motorcyclist drag racing on the road. He advocated that speed tables should be placed to slow traffic. City Manager Robert Frank asked for time so city staff can look into the matter.  

Public Works Director Steve Krug gave a presentation detailing potential solutions that would help slow down traffic on Hackney Prairie Road. Some of the ideas he suggested were narrowing traffic lanes on that road to 10 feet, installing traffic medians, changing the road surface and adding new road striping. 

“One of the reasons we’ve looked at this is if we ever want to install medians … we can put in full medians as a possibility in the future,” Krug said. 

He then proposed the city build four traffic islands in the middle of Clarke Road, at the intersection of Rushden and Cabbage Palm drives and near the entrance to Prairie Lake Park. The cost would be between $85,000 and $95,000 to install the islands. The cost to add landscaping to the medians in the future is between $100,000 and $200,000. 

Krug also said other alternatives would be to install stop signs and intersection striping costing about $3,500, while restriping the entire roadway would cost $15,000. 

Commissioner Rosemary Wilsen balked at the cost. 

“This was not budgeted for $85,000; we don’t have that in contingency,” she said. “I would think we should do some measures that are reasonable until we can budget that out.” 

Oliver expressed similar concerns but also agreed temporary measures can be carried out until means become available.

“I understand the importance of safety now,” Oliver said. “My question is what can we do now to mitigate some of the risk of folks getting hurt until we can budget the cost to do the full project?” 

Frank said it was possible for the commission to come up with the money soon. 

“Instead of paying $300,000, why don’t we just design it for the $200,000 project, see where we can find the money, and if worse comes to worst … we can fund it properly (at the budget meeting in April)?” Frank suggested. 

The commission will continue discussion at its Dec. 7 meeting.

IN OTHER NEWS

–Mayor Rusty Johnson read a proclamation declaring Saturday, Nov 27, Small Business Saturday. 

–The commission approved two amendments to the Land Development Code to allow for food trucks to operate in the city and also on what constitutes as a home business. This was in response to state laws passed during the summer. 

–The commission voted to cancel its Dec. 21 meeting. The last meeting of the year will be the Dec. 7 meeting.