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RIVERVIEW, Fla. (WFLA) — Residents have concerns about a popular road that some say has become dangerous.
Viewers reached out to 8 On Your Side saying US-301 is crumbling and causing damage to their vehicles.
“It’s a very congested road. It always has traffic, no matter what time of day,” describes Krista Cornell. The Riverview homeowner’s daily drive includes the highway.
Cornell said in recent months, sections of the roadway are causing more wear and tear on her vehicles.
“As soon as you’re driving on the road, you just get pegged by these sharp, razor-sharp pebbles hitting my windshield,” she explained.
Cornell is one of multiple viewers who contacted News Channel 8 about issues with the road. She said debris on the road is wearing down the tread on her tires, flying to hit pedestrians, and causing cracks in her windshield.
“In the last 4 months, I’ve had to get it replaced twice, and I need to get it a third time on this car,” she explains about her damaged windshield.
The Florida Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining of the road.
FDOT leaders said the road’s conditions are a symptom of the area’s explosive growth. They said moving forward, crews will be sweeping the area to clear the debris.
Additionally, there are upcoming projects to assist with the pavement. F-DOT provided the following schedule for the work:
- 443427-1 US 301/US 41/SR 43 FROM S OF WHITT RD TO N OF RIVERCREST DR – Asphalt – Construction should start early 2025.
443427-1-52-01 US 301 New Concrete Intersection at Gibsonton Drive
- 443428-1 US 301/SR 43 FROM S OF CR 672/BIG BEND RD TO N OF CR 672/BIG BEND RD -Concrete – Construction should start summer of 2025
- 448985-1 BIG BEND RD FROM SIMMONS LOOP TO US 301 -Asphalt – Construction should start beginning of 2025
443428-1-52-01, 448985-1-52-01 US 301 Intersection Improvements at Big Bend Road
- 445936-1 US 301/SR 43 FROM S OF BALM ROAD/PASEO AL MAR BLVD TO S OF WHITT ROAD -Asphalt – Construction should start early 2025.
445936-1-52-01 US 301 Resurfacing from Balm Road/Paseo Al Mar Boulevard to Whitt Road
- 445392-1 US 301/SR 43 AT SYMMES ROAD -Concrete – Anticipated letting to bid this month
445392-1-52-01 US 301 Intersection Improvements at Symmes Road
“Very frustrating, I should be able to drive on these roads and go to the store without having to worry about a windshield getting cracked,” Cornell said. “Luckily, my insurance is covering it right now, but my insurance will be going up next year.
