ST. CLOUD, Fla. — Something you don’t hear often is government speeding up the timeline on a road project.

But that’s what’s happening in the St. Cloud area after several crashes, including a deadly wreck in December at the intersection of US-192 and Nova Road.

What You Need To Know

  • There’s an alarming increase in crashes at US-192 & Nova Rd

  • FDOT plans to install a traffic signal

  • FDOT is expediting work to have signal in place by end of the year

Amir Baharally, who owns a tire shop with his father near the intersection, said he hears crashes at least once a week.

“I can hear it right away,” he said.

Growth in the area has led to more traffic and unfortunately, that has meant more crashes.

“It needs a light, there’s too much going on,” Baharally said. “There’s a merge lane, then there’s people stopping. Too much is going on. Nobody is paying attention.”

After a deadly crash that killed one and injured three in December, the Florida Department of Transportation reviewed the intersection.

“FDOT conducted a safety study, which includes performing an analysis of traffic data and a thorough review of incident history. This review determined a developing trend of crashes and increased traffic numbers at the intersection,” FDOT spokesperson Jessica Ottaviano said.

FDOT now recommends installing a traffic signal at the intersection.

“The project team is working diligently to expedite the work and hope to have it finished by end of the year,” Ottaviano said.

Besides the traffic light, FDOT also plans to increase the length of the eastbound left turn lane on Nova Road to improve traffic flow.