ORLANDO, Fla. – Residents in Orlando’s Lake Eola Heights neighborhood are hopeful safety changes could soon come to a busy intersection after a city traffic study camera was installed nearby this week.
People living along East Livingston Street near North Hyer Avenue say they have spent years asking the City of Orlando for a four-way stop, arguing speeding drivers and heavy cut-through traffic have made the intersection dangerous for pedestrians and families.
Amanda Monday, who lives along East Livingston Street, said the area lacks traffic calming measures and has become unsafe for residents trying to cross the road.
“We don’t have speed humps. We don’t have any street parking, so this is basically the freeway of Lake Eola,” Monday said.
She added that many neighbors no longer feel comfortable crossing certain streets in the area because of aggressive drivers.
“If we are limiting ourselves to who is next door because it’s just no longer safe, then what is the point in the community,” she said.
Residents also say drivers frequently use Livingston Street as a shortcut to nearby Mills Avenue, often traveling above the speed limit through the residential neighborhood.
“You can see they are going fast just like they would on Colonial, but this is a residential street,” neighbor Sarah Hayes said.
Hayes said she regularly walks her two young children across the intersection on the way to nearby schools, including Hillcrest Elementary.
“We don’t want anyone to get hurt, especially our kids,” Hayes said. “Cars go fast. They don’t stop. There’s a crosswalk. They don’t care.”
Neighbors say they are hoping the city will install at least a stop sign or flashing pedestrian warning lights at the intersection.
It remains unclear how long the traffic study camera will stay in place or when the city of Orlando could make a decision on possible safety improvements.