After being contacted by Spectrum News with drivers' complaints, officials at the Florida Department of Transportation have agreed to make changes at a Goldenrod Road construction area to improve safety for commuters.

FDOT is currently adding safety improvements to Goldenrod Road between State Road 408 and Colonial Drive — but some drivers say the work being done there is causing safety hazards of its own.

But Nitara and Keith LaTouche said that road work is causing its own safety concerns.

“I bottomed out, I don’t know if you heard the scrape," Keith LaTouche said as he drove out of his apartment complex and onto Goldenrod Road. "That’s how deep that hole is." 

He said large potholes formed at several of the entrances to businesses and apartment complexes in the construction zone, and he and his wife say it’s not much better on Goldenrod Road itself.

“There have been plenty of accidents — rear ends, sideswipes,” said the resident.

Nitara LaTouche said she was almost hit while driving through the construction zone.

 “There was a car that didn’t know the road was ending and kind of just clipped right in front of me, like last minute,” she said.

Both say that one of their biggest problems is with the striping of the lanes, which shift in certain spots to allow crews to continue construction.

“It shifts to the left or it shifts to the right and you can’t see those lines marked easily — and at night time it’s not easier to see either,” said Nitara LaTouche . “Now they’re completely faded.”

Spectrum News 13 contacted FDOT about the problems, and a spokesperson said the department would take care of the lane visibility issues.

The spokesperson said FDOT officials have approved re-striping the project sections that are beginning to fade, and increased street sweeping to help improve visibility.

FDOT is also requiring its project team to review temporary driveways more frequently, especially after rain events, and make them smoother and firmer for drivers.

The LaTouches said they are encouraged by FDOT’s responsiveness and hope it alleviates some of the pain of driving on Goldenrod Road.

FDOT is widening the lanes to make room for bike lanes; constructing raised medians; upgrading traffic signals and lighting; and improving drainage.

Officials say the work is scheduled to be completed in about a year.

Anyone experiencing a traffic trouble spot can report it to Spectrum News by filling out a simple form.