Drivers confused, neighbors frustrated with recent traffic shift in St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Families in St. Augustine are frustrated with the recent traffic pattern shift at one the of city’s busiest intersections.

Monday, neighbors told Action News Jax the new formation at May Street and San Marco Avenue is more dangerous.

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A sign recently posted at the stoplight sums up how local say they feel about the changes. It reads, ‘"1st Place World’s Worst Roun-duh-bout."

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Michael Machanis said, “It’s not a roundabout it’s a peanut.”

His wife, Kathryn, admitted traffic has always been a problem at the intersection, even before the changes.

She described, “There was no rhyme or reason you were backed up everywhere and there was no real way to get around it.”Neighbors thought the project would clear up congestion in the area.They claim it’s actually doing the opposite.

Vincent Roberst said, “I see other automobiles cutting in front, they’re not sure where they’re going. So really, at this point it creates a lot of congestion.”

Drivers said it’s the signage and lane shifts are the main frustrations. “It’s just kind of a weird situation. I don’t like it. I think it’s dangerous at this point.”

The goal of the $3.5 million project is to improve traffic flow, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

Many families said they’d like to see the area where the carousel was removed from Davenport Park, used to complete the roundabout.

Machanis said he hopes improvements will be made before crews are done with construction.

He explained, “I’m not sure what they’re going to do, but I don’t think anybody is really happy.”Late 2019 is the listed completion date for the project.

Cox Media Group