FDOT Undertakes Repairs To SR 19 U-Turn Problems

    Florida Department of Transportation contractors have begun the process of widening sections of SR 19 between Umatilla and Eustis to pave driving areas created by recent changes in traffic patterns. The estimated $4 million project features the closing of some median crossings and creating new turn lanes, lanes that when used to make U-Turns on the road have created large dirt areas.
    The turn lanes have been constructed in such a way that it makes it hard for large vehicles, and especially vehicles with trailers to make a U-Turn on the road. U-Turns have become necessary for people who access SR 19 from the opposite side of the road they need to travel, but now have no crossover lane to access.
    The turning areas began to grow off the side of the highway almost immediately after construction, and in some areas grew to be very close to sidewalks that have also been constructed as part of the project. While drivers will still be near those sidewalks in some cases, at least they will be on pavement rather than risk being stuck in deep sand that was developing in some of the areas.