Local

Ramp closure causes headache for U.S.-27 drivers in Clermont

CLERMONT, Fla. — U.S. Route 27 is already under construction in Clermont, and as of Monday, the southbound ramp to State Road 50 is closed.

Channel 9's Racquel Asa found that was not the original plan, so she asked officials what the closure means for drivers.

While it currently looks far from complete, the entire $20.7 million project is expected to be finished by fall 2013.

Getting it done on time requires the latest closure so that the contractor can speed up one part of the project.

The state said it plans to have the ramp closed for at least three months, so drivers who want to get to State Road 50 will have to go a mile and half out of the way.

The detour takes drivers through back roads from U.S. Route 27 southbound to Hook Street and Sand Hill View Drive.

"The inconvenience of going through a mile to mile and half through stop lights and making a mess of the local area -- probably going to be a tough one for a lot of people to swallow," said driver Jeff Currier.

With the ramp closed, traffic signals on State Route 50 by the Route 27 bridge will be turned off to prevent traffic from getting backed up under the bridge.

LINK: SR 50 and US 27 Interchange