Baugh addresses traffic, growth in area

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh met with Lakewood Ranch residents Feb. 3, at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall, to discuss upcoming projects and field questions from residents.

A diverging diamond in the rough
Baugh said there will be growing pains with the construction of the $83 million diverging diamond interchange at University Parkway and Interstate 75, especially since it will be the first of its kind in Florida.

“It’s not a great situation because we have to go through it, but it could have been a lot worse,” she added. “Let’s take it one day at a time and see how it goes.”

Pushing the (speed) limits
Lakewood Ranch resident Jim Townsend asked, “Is there anything being done to improve (speed limit) enforcement on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard?”

Baugh said she has received feedback from individuals on both sides of the issue — those who believe that the 35 mph speed limit is too slow and those who believe it’s too fast.

Baugh said she will talk to local law enforcement about tougher speed limit enforcement.

Lakewood Ranch: City of the future?
Toward the end of the meeting, Baugh fielded a question about the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.

“We’re the first group of Lakewood Ranch residents, and we want to see it prosper,” Baugh said, adding the time isn’t right for incorporation. “We all want that. Let’s not be too quick and hurt ourselves. We need to grow up a little more yet. We’re on track, but we’re not there yet.