MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A meeting is happening in Tallahassee today to address the need to expedite a widening project for State Road 710.
WPTV has been keeping you updated on safety improvements for State Road 710, also known as Warfield Boulevard, which Martin County's sheriff recently called a "death trap."
WATCH: State Rep. Snyder meets with FDOT on State Road 7
When we spoke with Sheriff John Budnsiek about the road earlier this month, following another deadly crash, the sheriff said he contacted state Rep. John Snyder in an effort to expedite the widening of State Road 710, which isn't currently slated to begin until until 2030.
WPTV obtained the letter Rep. Snyder sent to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Jared Perdue, elevating the safety concerns of his constituents.
"My district office has received many emails from constituents referencing the dangers associated with traveling SR 710," he wrote. "Many of my constituents are pleading to raise the priority level of this upcoming highway widening project, including constituents who have needlessly lost loved ones on this highway."
WPTV learned that the letter was shared with FDOT's Steven Braun, district secretary for District 4, who oversees Martin County. Braun and Rep. Snyder will meet this afternoon in Tallahassee to discuss State Road 710.
WATCH: Sheriff pushes for SR 710 widening after latest fatalities
Forrest Yingling, who lives near the roadway, calls it “Bloody 710."
“You have so many fatalities out here, some high-speed crashes,” said Yingling.
Neighbors like Forrest said over and over again the road needs to be widened to four lanes.
“It's only going to continue to get worse until something's done,” said Yingling.
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He said the meeting between Rep. Snyder and FDOT is a step in the right direction.
“These are the people we elected to hear us, and that's what John's doing,” said Yingling. “Making some noise and talking to FDOT and letting them know that this is a matter of exigency, to get this process moving.”
Earlier this month, FDOT said they’ll begin widening State Road 710 in 2030, from FPL Access Road in Martin County to the Okeechobee County line.
Then, FDOT said they’ll widen from FPL Access Road south to Allapattah Road in Indiantown.
“You're still looking at some time,” said Yingling. “There'll be more fatalities before it's ever completed.”
We asked FDOT how they will implement safety measures during the widening project. A spokesperson said: "The top priority is safety of the traveling public and the work crews. Before work begins, FDOT determines the proper speed permissible in the work zone, and then we ensure proper signage is posted to alert drivers in advance. We also work collaboratively with local law enforcement to prevent the two biggest risks in a work zone: speeding and distracted driving."
WPTV will push to learn more about what comes of the meeting with Rep. Snyder and FDOT.
READ LETTER:
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