LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise promises more safety improvements after a viewer contacted Traffic Inbox about concerns flying off a pair of roundabouts and onto the turnpike in Lake County.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise built a new CR-455 bridge & two roundabouts in Lake County

  • Driver Maureen Paglia says there are no barriers to prevent drivers from leaving the roundabouts

  • Drivers could crash down the embankment onto the turnpike, Paglia says

  • A turnpike spokesperson says a guardrail and other safety improvements are still planned for the area

Maureen Paglia uses the roundabouts when she drives from her home in South Florida to her daughter’s house in the Clermont area.

“My big concern is if somebody comes straight and doesn’t realize or misses this turn, they will go right down there onto the Florida Turnpike,” she said. “It’s like two stories high. It’s ridiculous.”

Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise is widening the turnpike in Lake County. As a part of the project, it replaced the County Road 455 bridge over the turnpike. Along with it, crews built a pair of roundabouts, one on each side of the bridge. The new bridge and roundabouts opened earlier this year.

But Paglia said there are no barriers to keep drivers on the roundabouts and she’s worried that a driver is going too fast or not paying attention could end up going down the embankment and end up crashing on to the turnpike.

“They need a barrier of some kind, a big one,” Paglia said.

Even though the roundabouts have been open for months, Paglia is surprised there are no barriers to stop drivers from going over.

Turnpike Enterprise spokesperson Kerry French said construction is still ongoing in the area, and good news: a guardrail will be installed.

Fencing along the top of the slope, reflective pavement markings and a final layer of asphalt to reduce skidding are also planned.

The safety measures should be installed over the next year.

“It is important to note that although work is ongoing, the current conditions at the roundabouts meet safety standards,” French said. “Drivers are reminded to adhere to the posted 25 mph speed limit when approaching and navigating through the roundabouts.”

Paglia said she hopes the safety improvements are installed soon before anyone gets hurt.

“I just don’t want to get that phone call or any parent or anyone to get a phone call like that,” she said.

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