OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Schoolchildren may be on summer break, but one viewer wants to know why a busy Osceola County road does not have school zones or other safety features for three schools in the area.
What You Need To Know
- Monica Rodriquez is concerned there are no school zone signs on a road with three schools
- Simpson Road in Osceola County also doesn't have crossing guards and lacks sidewalks and lighting
- Osceola County says it plans to add lighting and sidewalks to Simpson Road in fiscal year 2023
Monica Rodriquez says just south of Fortune Road, there are three schools located on Simpson Road: Professional and Technical High School, Osceola Technical College and Esther’s Christian School.
“(Drivers) take this street as an expressway,” Rodriquez said.
Despite the schools, there are no school zone signs or crossing guards.
“I would like to see the signs indicating you’re approaching, not only one, two, but three schools in this area,” Rodriquez said. “Why don’t we have that?”
Even though there are bus stops on the east side of Simpson Road, there are no sidewalks to get there. Plus, street lighting is limited.
The good news is Osceola County officials told Spectrum News 13 they are working on Simpson Road. Sidewalks and lighting are planned for both sides of the street. Construction should start in fiscal year 2023.
The bad news for Rodriquez is that school zones are typically reserved for elementary and middle schools, and they are not mandatory.
The county said it has reached out to Esther’s School, and the principal told staff that their students do not walk or bike to school.
Rodriquez hopes the county changes their mind.
“Invest money for our children, for their safety,” Rodriquez said.
If you have a road related problem, go to mynews13.com/trafficinbox.
