Orange County plans to sink over $2 million into studies and road improvements of a busy corridor in the Pine Hills neighborhood, but they need the community's help.
The County's Transportation Planning Division is conducting a survey which squares around pedestrian and bicyclist safety, eliciting feedback from those who live and travel in Pine Hills.
- Orange County studying Pine Hills Road pedestrian safety
- Needs community to take survey
- RELATED: Take the Pine Hills Road Community Survey
“We want to know how they’re moving along the corridor now. How are they traveling, why are they choosing to cross mid-block?” said Anoch Whitfield, who wrote the scope and interviewed consultants for the project.
“I’m hoping it will bring more of a focus on what’s going on," said community organizer Sandra Fatmi. “People in the median, in the middle, that’s dangerous. It’s very concerning. Too many accidents have happened here.”
Standing on the corner of Pine Hills and Silver Star Roads, Fatmi watches a man dart across six lanes of traffic.
“I think everyone is just too busy in their own world, not paying attention," she said. “Sometimes you’re texting on the phone, not paying attention. So that’s a problem. Then, the drivers are focused on where they’re going.”
Whitfield said the overall study is a facet of the county's "Walk-Ride-Thrive!" program. It focuses specifically on a three-and-a-half mile stretch of Pine Hills Road, from State Road 50 to Bonnie Brae Circle.
The county has budgeted $377,000 for the study, $500,000 for design and $1.2 million for construction, according to Whitfield.
“We’re going to be looking at traffic history, crash history, lighting, street lighting, pedestrian lighting, connectivity," Whitfield said.
And at the end of the study next January, the planner said she hopes to present findings to commissioners and develop a plan for a "complete" corridor.
“That allows for our driving population to get where they need to go safely, and also our walking and biking population. Especially the young people in Pine Hills," she said.
However, the community survey, which needs to be completed by April 15, is a vital component of the study.
“There’s almost 72,000 people here. Let’s see how many we can reach with this study and help us to find a solution," said Fatmi. “We’re trying to bring everyone to the table and say, 'Hey, you all have to be responsible citizens.'"
The county said that community meetings will take place in the summer and fall, ahead of the study's completion.