CLERMONT, Fla. — Officials say relief is coming for a Lake County road that is constantly bogged down by traffic, especially during before school drop-off and after school pickup.

What You Need To Know

  • Gloria Ericsen says congestion is a problem on Hartwood Marsh Road in Lake County

  • Ericsen says traffic is a big problem during school drop-off and pickup times at a nearby charter school

  • Lake County officials say there are plans to widen Hartwood Marsh Road sometime in 2027 or 2028

Gloria Ericsen wrote into Traffic Inbox because she says she often gets stuck in traffic on Hartwood Marsh Road.

“I try very hard not to come home from Orlando after 4 o’clock because the traffic westbound is very bad,” she said.

Ericsen takes Hartwood Marsh Road to her home at King Ridge 55+ community in the Clermont area after she receives chemotherapy in Winter Park every week.

Ericsen said she believes much of the traffic issues stem from students being dropped off and picked up from Imagine Schools South Lake.

“There is a bumper-to-bumper lineup of cars of moms or dads both westbound and eastbound trying to get into the property of the school to pick up their little kids,” she said.

Spectrum News reached out to the charter school, but never heard back.

Ericsen said she doesn’t blame the parents or their kids, but believes the two-lane stretch of road near Hancock Road needs help.

“Your attention span gets a little dulled because of the stop-and-go,” she said. “It’s a very dangerous situation.”

Spectrum News reached out to Lake County, and a spokesperson said some help is on the way — Hartwood Marsh Road is expected to be widened in the 2027-2028 timeframe.

In addition, extending Hancock Road to Wellness Way should help with the congestion, according to Lake County.

“I wouldn’t have to come home from Orlando so early. I could stay and visit a lot,” Ericsen said.

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