Our Busiest Intersection

The Avon Park Wal-Mart will open next week. So, will traffic get better in front of the Sebring Wal-Mart?

The short answer is no, according to Highlands County Planner Don Hanna.

"It ain't going to happen. That's what the traffic models show," Hanna said. "We're growing in too many places."

County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete agrees. He expects a temporary 10 percent decrease. Residents who live near College Drive will probably choose the Avon Park Wal-Mart, as will people who live along State Road 64. "Sun 'n Lake, they're the ones with an either-or decision to make."

Still Getting Bigger

Highlands County growth has slowed considerably in the past year, but the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research nevertheless estimates a current summer population of 97,000 people and a winter census of 117,000. Hanna has used those numbers to predict 159,000 permanent and temporary residents by 2020.

The Wal-Mart section of U.S. 27, from Bayview Street to Schumacher Road, was designated by a March 2007 traffic study as the busiest intersection in Highlands County.

The maximum volume should be 3,980 vehicles per hour, at peak hours, according to Florida Department of Transportation.

Even though only a 1 percent growth rate is assumed every year, that hourly number is expected to increase to 4,662 by 2012. That's 682 too many cars during each peak hour in front of Wal-Mart.

If traffic doesn't get better in front of the Sebring Wal-Mart, what will happen? Well, said County Engineer Ramon Gavarrete, U.S. 27 in front of Wal-Mart is already rated "E." In 2012, local engineers must increase the highway's traffic capacity, or FDOT will rate it an "F."

Failing. U.S. 27 will be out of compliance with the state Department of Community Affairs. That means DCA won't approve any more subdivisions which will affect traffic in that area.

"But that's our job. Not to fail," Gavarrete said.

The Wal-Mart Effect

Wherever Wal-Mart goes, it attracts cars and trucks.

According to FDOT average annual traffic counts, 37,500 cars a day come to the intersection of U.S. 27 and Schumacher Road-Sebring Parkway.

There are already 11 lanes in front of Sebring's Wal-Mart. What will make that intersection better?

Gavarrete designed longer turn lanes on U.S. 27 at Vicki, Hammock and Sparta. (Average cost: $500,000 each.) Longer turn lanes will help Schumacher somewhat, he said. So will better synchronization of traffic signals.

"The only thing that would really help would be to add lanes," Gavarrete said. "But there's no room. We'd have to build a retaining wall at Blockbuster." And that would cost millions of taxpayer dollars.

The other factor is Sebring Parkway. The portion of Phase 2 - Kenilworth and the road in front of Sebring High School - will open by Monday, Gavarrete said.

But eventually, Sebring Parkway will start in Avon Park and conclude on U.S. 98 near Lorida, with entry and exit spurs at Highlands Regional Medical Center and the Sebring Wal-Mart.