Commissioners push FDOT for answers on Highway 70 safety plan after fatal crash

Commissioners on Sept. 10 pressed county staff and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for clearer justification of a multi-step safety proposal for the Highway 70 and Berman Road intersection that would rely on deterrents and forced U-turns rather than a signal.

Justin Nelson, the county's staff lead on FDOT coordination, described alternatives FDOT presented (flashing lights, traffic deterrents and forced U-turn designs used in other counties). Several commissioners said the examples did not fit the county's conditions and pointed to existing traffic counts and a recent fatal crash as reasons to pursue a signalized solution.

One commissioner urged higher-level engagement: "We need to bring the secretary here and let's have a logical conversation," a commissioner said, arguing that the local experience of heavy trucks and recent crashes warranted direct discussion with FDOT leadership. Commissioners asked staff to schedule a meeting with the appropriate FDOT district and, if necessary, Secretary Driggers, and to consider an after-hours public meeting so residents and family members of crash victims can attend and voice concerns.

County staff said they would continue pursuing the district contacts and work to set a public meeting if the board desires. Commissioners also asked staff to prepare talking points and to escalate if district-level responses remain unsatisfactory.