ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Big changes are coming to a busy intersection near Winter Park, and not everyone is happy about it.
Florida Department of Transportation Officials said the changes are a push for safety, but people who live in the area said a part of the project will make it much more difficult to get around.
Glenn Finch said changes related to the busy intersection just down the road from his Winter Park neighborhood will have a direct impact on the amount of time he and his neighbors spend in the car.
"We are all, myself included, frustrated," said Finch. "It will ultimately make it a lot harder for residents."
FDOT officials are reducing right turning lanes at Aloma Avenue and Semoran Boulevard. Concrete will cover merge lanes. Officials said the goal is to make the flow of traffic a little slower and to make things safer for pedestrians.
"It's going to be safer. It won't necessarily be more convenient, but we believe it will make that whole intersection and area safer," said FDOT representative Steve Olson.
But Finch said the flow of traffic is already heavy at the intersection, especially during rush hour, and so removing even an inch of roadway will make it more congested.
He said his biggest issue is with the change coming a short distance away where Aloma Avenue meets Coachlight Lane.
FDOT officials are putting in what they call directional medians. That means drivers will no longer be able to turn left and head east when pulling out of his subdivision.
"Every resident that lives in this neighborhood will not be able to head east anymore without making dangerous U-turns or heading miles out of our way to get east out of town," said Finch.
FDOT officials said restricting turns will slow traffic down.
Finch said the changes will not only lengthen his commutes, but possibly lower his property value because it will be much harder to get in and out of subdivision.
The work on the intersection near the subdivision is set to start in June.