Change to Farmington intersection sought

FARMINGTON — After the death of a 15-year-old boy last weekend, residents are asking for a solution to what's been called a dangerous intersection.

It could be years, however, before that request is considered. Other intersection improvements and a needs study must be done first, said city manager Max Forbush.

"There has always been a plan to improve the intersection and widen the road beyond the intersection," Forbush said. "Will it warrant a signal at that time? I don't know."

Christa Birch, a Farmington Ranches resident, was involved in an accident at the same intersection eight months ago. Luckily, no one was killed. But she said she called the city then, offering a warning.

"I thought it was going to take someone to die for them to do anything about it," she said. "I worry that it still isn't enough."

Birch said people coming off the freeway don't realize there is only a two-way stop sign at the intersection. Besides a stoplight, she said the city has several options to alert drivers of the intersection, including flashing lights, warning signs and even clearing away trees to make oncoming drivers more visible.

"I hit someone there because they pulled out in front of me," Birch said.

In Friday's deadly accident, witnesses reported the driver who caused the crash was traveling the speed limit but didn't realize there was a stop sign and ran right through it.

Whether it's a stoplight or something else, residents are planning to take action to get the situation taken care of.

Tara Montoya has written letters and made several phone calls. She plans to continue efforts until a solution is provided. A petition is being passed around the neighborhood in hopes of creating "enough noise," as Montoya said, to get something done.

"This has been an ongoing concern for the community of Farmington Ranches for the past eight months," she said. "They make enough on our taxes. It all has to do with who wants to take responsibility."

The cost of a light at 1100 West and Clark Lane would be about $150,000 — something state officials say the city has responsibility to fund.

While developers in the area are liable to widen parts of Clark Lane, Gerry Tully, vice president of Proterra, said a stop signal is not related to that improvement.