GROVELAND, Fla. — State Road 50, one of the busiest roads in Central Florida, could be moving. The road runs right through downtown Groveland, but the state wants to divert it out of downtown.
The reason the state wants to do that is because SR-50 and SR-19 (see map), which come together right in the center of town, are constantly crawling with big trucks.
It's rule number one in downtown Groveland.
"Trucks don't stop here. Trucks are on the go all the time," business owner Mohamed Hassan said.
He also knows rule number two.
"When you're driving through Groveland, you'll notice the way it's set up it doesn't really encourage you to stop and get out of your cars right now," said T.J. Fish, Lake-Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization.
City and county leaders want to change that by re-routing SR-50. Planners say by moving SR-50, they'll move the 2,500 semis a day around and not through the town.
"I honestly think it's not worth the cost," Groveland resident Darrell Smith said.
Smith has lived in Groveland 17 years and says the $15 million price tag is too steep.
But city leaders believe, without the trucks they can attract more shops and more shoppers. They want a downtown without all the 18-wheel traffic and replace it with foot traffic.
Hassan says that's good for business.
"More people would come here, because they'd feel a sense of safety. They won't have to cross roads and be looking out for trucks," he said.
The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting on the road work Thursday night at the Puryear building right downtown (see map).
Planners say the 'detour' is actually on the fast track. It could be studied, designed, and built within seven years.