OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Big changes are in store for a deadly intersection in Osceola County. The Florida Department of Transportation said it plans to change the median to improve driver safety at U.S. Route 192 and Pine Grove Road, just outside St. Cloud.
Some residents, however, are worried the upgrades may shift potentially deadly traffic problems to other intersections.
"This is not going to be the ideal situation, perhaps, for us who live on this side of the road. But it will be better than people getting killed," said neighbor Patricia Starr.
FDOT plans to change the median so traffic on Pine Grove can no longer make left turns.
"We're going to have to get used to doing it a different way," Starr said.
FDOT said there have been 12 crashes at the intersection from 2012 to 2014, including two deaths. A pregnant woman and her unborn child were killed in a crash two years ago.
Some neighbors worry that restricting the intersection will lead to more U-turns at neighboring crossings, simply shifting the problem elsewhere.
"It's scary. It is very scary," said Starr. "And we have school buses come by. That frightens me because I have children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren."
The state said it expects the changes to increase U-turns. FDOT said the configuration is already in place along other parts of U.S. Route 192 and is considered to improve safety.
FDOT said it plans to put out the order to its contractor this week. They hope to have the changes completed in about 60 days.
The state said it considered a traffic light for the intersection but found the amount of cars going through there didn't meet requirements.
WFTV
