A resident in an Orange County community off U.S. 441 says she would like to see a turn lane added at the entrance to her neighborhood to avoid rear-end crashes.

What You Need To Know

  • Sammia Pratt says she’s had close calls when she attempts to turn into her Bargrove Estates neighborhood from U.S. 441

  • Pratt has to slow down on U.S. 441 to make the right turn, but says drivers behind her don’t always realize what she's doing, which has led to some close calls

  • FDOT officials say a 2020 study concluded turning lanes weren’t necessary

Sammia Pratt says when she tries to return to her home in Bargrove Estates, she has to slow down on northbound U.S. 441 when she turns onto Obsidian Gate Drive.

“(The entrance) is a hidden turn,” she said. "As you’re pulling up to the community, it’s very hard to see there’s a community here. However, when you’re actually turning, you’ll notice there’s not enough clearance to turn, so if the person behind you is not paying attention or speeding, they don’t have enough time to react.”

Pratt said the issue leads to her nearly being rear-ended while turning almost every day.

“We would love a turning lane and street lights,” she said.

Spectrum News 13 reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation Pratt's request for a right turn lane. A spokeswoman said when the developer of Bargrove Estates conducted a traffic impact study in 2020, it found “right turn deceleration lanes are not necessary or recommended at the project driveways.”

Based on the analysis, FDOT did not require the developer to build the turning lanes.

But the FDOT spokeswoman said if residents wish to add entrance or exit turning lanes to the current access configuration, the community is invited to apply for a permit to construction them.

Pratt says she’s working to figure out if she and her neighbors can get Landsea Homes, the builder of the community, to build the turning lane.

She also expressed concerns about traveling through the area at night since there are no streetlights.

FDOT officials said vehicle headlights are adequate for now, because information did not find a trend in nighttime crashes in the area.

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