Month: September 2024

The new traffic signal at Oakwood Preserve Dr./Wiregrass School Rd., in front of John Long Middle School, Wiregrass Ranch Elementary, and the back gate for The Ridge at Wiregrass community (see map below), was put into operation just in the nick of time for the start of the 2024-25 school year. In fact, the signal didn’t change from blinking yellow to full operation until Aug. 10, or just two days before school started throughout Pasco County. 

Because of a number of delays, the county was only able to have the signal in “flash mode” for two days before that, whereas most new signals blink for at least 7-14 days before becoming operational, so motorists who drive through the area can get used to seeing it at that location. 

Some observant drivers may have noticed that these delays, and the rush to get the signal turned on before the start of school, at first caused some pretty serious safety concerns. 

But, with the ‘flash mode’ lasting only two days, that gave very little time for motorists to get acclimated to the new signal. This was initially made worse by the fact that since this intersection has been a 4-way stop for two years, most drivers using Mansfield were used to coming to a complete stop from each approach. It was extra confusing because the overhead signals for the Mansfield traffic began flashing yellow, even though the ground-mounted stop signs that had long been at that intersection (with their flashing red signals on top) were still there and operational. 

To generally avoid confusion, national traffic engineering standards (as listed in the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets & Highways, or MUTCD) requires that if any flashing light is present, its color must match whatever condition is present, so with a stop sign for each approach, the overhead signals on the new span should have been flashing red for all directions (according to the standards), but it was flashing yellow instead for Mansfield, causing a mixed message. 

Because of these inconsistent colors, it was directly observed that some motorists were still stopping at the stop sign like they should have been, while others on the same approach didn’t notice the stop signs, or were confused, and continued through the intersection without stopping (as most people do when they see an overhead flashing yellow signal). This caught many motorists who were turning from the side streets off guard, since they were expecting the Mansfield traffic to stop, naturally causing a few near misses and horn-honking. 

Luckily, this confusing set-up was only present for two days before the stop signs were removed (from all four approaches) and the signal put into full operation. But, that did create another issue. 

Since it was done so quickly, some motorists were observed coming to a complete stop at the stop bar, even though they had a solid green signal, likely because their subconscious muscle memory was taking over, since they were used to always stopping there. Horn honkers behind them alerted them to their error, and they proceeded on their way. 

This happened four times while we were taking photos and observing the intersection, a full week and a half after it was put into normal operation. Even with the advanced “Signal Ahead” signs, it seems that there’s no replacement for time. 

Concerns About Pedestrian Safety 

To address pedestrian safety at the new signal, the county did something local motorists are used to, by giving it an “exclusive pedestrian phase,” which means that when the “Walk” symbol comes on after the button is pushed (at any time of day), it comes on for all of the crosswalk directions simultaneously, requiring ALL directions of vehicular traffic to stop without moving, including the right turns, until the walk phase ends, exactly like the operation of the signal down the street at County Line Rd. in front of the Meadow Pointe II clubhouse. 

To help enforce the right turn restrictions, electronic “blank-out,” “No Right on Red” signs were installed next to the eastbound and southbound approach signal heads, and similar static signs were installed facing the northbound and westbound approach signals. But, the county also left cable coiled up on the line for more future electronic signs, if the need arises. 

Crossing guards (trained as traffic control officers by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office) are still present at the signal on school days, to help out pedestrians. Since they are traffic control officers, they can direct traffic to move as needed, despite what color the signal shows, requiring motorists to pay attention to their commands and use extra caution when approaching the intersection. 

Unfortunately, during our most recent visit, some motorists were observed still stopping at the red light, even though the crossing guard was clearly waiving them through. 

The Need For The Signal 

Mansfield Blvd. has seen its share of improvements over the past few years, many of which (including this signal) were geared towards safety. The original 4-way stop was installed shortly after it was announced by Pasco County Traffic Operations representative Venkat Vattikuti, at a meeting with Meadow Pointe residents in the fall of 2022. Eventually, flashing beacons were installed on top when it was clear that many residents were not “seeing” (or obeying) the stop signs. 

Then, in 2023, there was resurfacing on Mansfield to address pavement that was quickly becoming gravel and flashing pedestrian beacons were added in front of the entrance to the Wrencrest subdivision in Meadow Pointe in 2024. 

The all-way stop was continuous from the start. Many residents appreciated the interim solution (before the signal could be funded and installed) because of how it helped with pedestrian safety, but other residents felt that it unnecessarily backed up traffic by stopping every single vehicle on the main road. 

What About The High School? 

Traffic still may back-up a little at the time when the crossing guards are out there at the new signal, since the middle and adjacent elementary schools dismiss students only a few minutes apart from each other. However, traffic around the time of Wiregrass Ranch High’s dismissal has been observed to be much better at this intersection. 

Back when it was just a 4-way stop, traffic would sometimes be seen backing up on Mansfield Blvd. for half a mile from the southbound stop sign, from traffic leaving the high school heading back into Meadow Pointe. 

Now, the biggest issue for the high school seems to be a relic of its original design — the two outbound lanes onto Mansfield at Hueland Pond Blvd. Back when the high school opened in 2007 the entrance/exit was (for two years) strictly to the intersection where the new signal is at The Ridge, where Mansfield (at that time) came to an end. 

Between 2007 and 2009, Mansfield Blvd. was extended northbound at the same time S.R. 56 was being extended eastbound from Publix to meet it, a coordinated effort by the developer of Wiregrass Ranch, the county and FDOT. When the Mansfield extension was completed, the two northern outbound lanes from the high school (a left and a right) were opened for use and were all that was needed, because the intersection was unsignalized, and there was no through traffic because Hueland Pond Blvd. didn’t exist yet. 

The southern exit to Mansfield was subsequently closed (by a gate) and the northern entrance became the only way in and out of Wiregrass Ranch High. 

In 2016, Hueland Pond Blvd. was constructed to align with the high school’s entrance and the signal was installed. The right turn lane coming out of the high school was converted to a through/right, and even though Hueland Pond was given a dual left, for whatever reason, the exit from Wiregrass Ranch High remained a single left, even though there was room in the median to add another left. 

That single left and through/right make getting out of the high school a lengthy process. The through traffic (waiting for a green to go onto Hueland Pond) blocks traffic behind them as they wait to make a right turn onto Mansfield, and all it takes is one car wanting to go straight. It does appear that there is room to add a separate right turn lane if the county decides to add one.