County installs four-way stop at busy intersection

EAST COUNTY — Manatee County officials hope a simple solution will fix a growing traffic problem.

Following approval at the Dec. 2 Manatee County Commission meeting, county staff this week will install two stop signs on Ranch Lake Boulevard, at the Walmart/River Club Plaza entrance, making the intersection a four-way stop.

Stops signs already existed east and westbound at the Walmart Access Road, but not at that location along Ranch Lake Boulevard.

“The area there where the Walmart is has just expanded,” District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said.

“You’ve got apartments back there now. You’re getting ready to have a medical center. And it’s already a difficult intersection to go through.”

Sage Kamiya, deputy director of traffic management, said volumes and crashes at the location met the criteria for stop sign installation.

“Based on review of that data, as well as a field review, an all-way stop was recommended by staff,” he said.

A study conducted in late October by the Public Works Department showed the intersection met the required minimum number of crashes — five — and that traffic volumes exceeded minimums 11 hours a day, compared with the required eight hours daily.

Traffic volumes reached 80% of required volumes 13 hours daily, compared with the eight hours needed.
Peak traffic times occurred roughly from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with peak traffic from 5 to 6 p.m.

Manatee County will pay approximately $1,400 for the project — $750 for two stop signs and another $650 for installation.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].