I’m going to do something a little different in this space this week. Usually, I take excerpts from readers’ letters and seek answers to the questions they ask. But today, I’m going to let you hear directly from the letter writers. I thought some of you might enjoy reading the words your neighbors use to describe their frustrations with South Shore’s roads and traffic.
These letters do not appear with other Letters to the Editor because they are all addressed specifically to this column and revolve around one thing: traffic.
At the end of this space, I will attempt to briefly answer, or at least comment, on each. Meanwhile, let’s listen to what our neighbors have to say on the subject of roads and traffic.

u Don Lynch writes
“In and around the Sun City Center area there are a lot of street intersections, including shopping centers and residential where landscaping has grown to block the view of drivers who want to cross or enter the street.
Some of us want to pull out of our driveway but our view is blocked by overgrown trees and shrubs on private property. Since Del Webb built beautiful winding streets, we have a scary challenge. Add to this the speeders.
I respectfully suggest we all walk outside our homes and businesses and look to see if we can help eliminate these traffic hazards.
Thank you. I look forward each week to reading your column.

u Herb Cashvan writes
“I have never written to you, but I enjoy your column each week. One thing has bugged me for a long time and just recently it has got to the point that I feel you are the only one who will give me and a lot of my friends an answer as to why this is being done. For example, many homes are being built on Shell Point Road before the road is widened, which you know is only a narrow two lanes. We are thinking this is like putting the cart before the horse.
You have been very informative in the past and most times have answered questions that we think have pretty much satisfied us. Looking forward to your answer.”

u Susan Grosskopf writes
“First, let me say, this column is the one thing I am sure to read every week. It always has information that interests me.
After reading your May 24 edition, I felt I had to write regarding two issues: One is the high rate of airplane traffic for approximately five days in May. (Unlike the jets from Tampa International Airport described in the column) the planes my friends and I noticed flying low day and night were not out of TIA, I’m sure. They looked like F-16s and A-10s, probably from MacDill.
And second, I have a problem with one intersection in particular and that’s turning left off Platinum Drive onto South Pebble Beach Boulevard (in Sun City Center). Some problems are due to overgrown landscaping but it’s primarily due to poor landscaping. Granted, the sawgrass is not being kept trimmed, but the biggest culprit is a very large – fat – palm tree. Some time ago I notified our community resource deputy (Rob) Thornton about the intersection’s poor visibility and immediately the stop line was moved farther out into the intersection. But then the county resurfaced the area and put the stop line back to its original location. I notified deputy Thornton again but the line has not been moved again. Why not just use the best and more permanent solution and remove the palm tree?”

u Linda Nelstead writes
“Thank you so much for your input about getting a red light at the intersection of Big Bend Road and Summerfield Boulevard. As a resident of Summerfield Crossings, I can finally feel safe when turning left onto Big Bend. Again, thank you for becoming involved.”

u Kay Pye writes
“What a super job you do with your column. Please keep up the good work.
I am writing about the First Street Southwest and 14th Avenue changes (in Ruskin). I know you can’t stop progress, and we have all enjoyed our sleepy little town for many years. When I read an article about the traffic count done on First Street, I wondered who counted and what school they went to. They said they only counted 13 cars a day there (making 14th the more traveled of the two that intersect where recent changes were made).
I have driven that road (First Street Southwest) at least four times a day since 1971 and have not seen many wrecks at the intersection where those two streets join. But where they come out onto U.S. 41 is a different story. (They join and then within a few yards intersect with U.S. 41.) I think it would have made more sense to put turn signals on the U.S. 41 light (turning onto First Street). That is the dangerous spot.
Now, someone needs to install a sign that says that First Street does not allow (left) turns so people will remember to turn (off U.S. 41) on 16th Street and go down the little narrow road that enters (U.S.) 41 instead.
(The way it is now, you have) to go down 14th to Sixth Street and then try and cross State Road 674. This is a nightmare and is also putting more traffic in front of the (Ruskin) elementary school. I also feel that closing the access to cross (U.S.) 41 at that intersection has devalued property (in the area).”

u OK. Let me try and comment on the points made in these letters. First off, if you haven’t seen your letter yet, it doesn’t mean I didn’t value it. I just don’t have the space to get them all in this week, and plan to use some more soon.
I agree with Don and Susan about the landscaping problems. And they certainly aren’t limited to Sun City Center. I know it won’t make either of you feel any better, but in Summerfield Crossings where I live, so many large oaks and sago palms were planted too close to homes built in the 1980s that they’ve now cracked driveways and sidewalks and the roots are heading under our homes.
My personal observation is that some developers plant what makes the yards look nice when the homes are new – often using far too many, and far too large – trees and shrubs to give the subdivision an immediate “homey” look. It’s part of what Realtors call the “gingerbread effect.”
Don and Susan’s concerns about landscaping are definitely valid. Perhaps they could get together and brainstorm a path to a solution. Meanwhile, homeowners should look at what’s in their own yard and if a tree or bush is large enough to be a hazard to drivers (or anyone else for that matter) then trim it. But remember – the county, and other environmental authorities, require permits to remove trees.
Herb’s question about Shell Point Road presents a conundrum. For some reason, home densities that were approved many years ago must comply with today’s building codes (when built) yet the transportation plan is exempt from including them.
As of today, county officials have assured me that the 2025 Transportation Plan Map is still “official” and unless private entities step up with the green, no widening of Shell Point Road will be done.
Any new development proposed for that area would have to kick in funding for Shell Point improvements like developers recently did to be allowed to build along U.S. 301. But those units already approved – according to transportation manager Ned Baier – will not affect a widening unless a new traffic study is done and the road reclassified as “a failed road.”
As for Susan’s observation about the planes: you obviously know more about aircraft than I, so I completely defer. My May 24 column was based solely on an interview with officials at Tampa International Airport. If MacDill had military operations that took planes off their regular flight paths and over South Shore, I had no way of knowing it.
And last but not least, to attempt to answer Kay’s letter, I drove back to the U.S. 41 intersection with First Street Southwest and 14th Avenue in Ruskin today, just to make sure nothing had changed since I wrote my June 14 column.
Just as I was about to say that county officials said the work is complete and the intersection – including the new median – will remain as it is, Baier called me back and said there had been enough public outcry that the county planned to schedule a community meeting in August but no date has yet been set.
Keep those letters coming. You’re what makes writing this column fun. Send your questions and concerns to me at 3032 College Ave., Ruskin, FL 33570 or e-mail them to with “Road Raves” in the subject line.
Penny Fletcher is the editor of The Sun, an affiliate of The Tampa Tribune