A Coastal Landing

The day after Thanksgiving is generally called “Black Friday”, rightfully named with the tons of greenhouse gas emissions on that day when Americans are out in hordes to take advantage of sales items for Christmas gifts.

To say the least, traffic is horrendous for those that brave the antics of less than friendly fellow drivers. Locally, there is a situation along Hwy 50 at Mariner Blvd that creates another hindrance to the intended goodwill of the Holiday season.

The day before Thanksgiving, my visiting brother in law and I ventured to Belks in the Coastal Landing Shopping Center for a discounted jacket that caught his eye among the Tribune’s inserts. As we were exiting at the east end, his immediate observation was the backup of vehicles. I was glad to hear someone else express my very same thought.

A mere 6 or 7 vehicles making a left turn blocks others from lining up to cross over to Wal-Mart or turn right on Hwy 50. While waiting, the view to the west is the vacant Whistle Junction building and its ugly existence. Drivers have plenty of time to ponder what type of business may eventually make traffic matters worse. The cost of wasted gas keeps cash flowing to OPEC rather than in the pockets of Hernando County consumers.

An additional lane, dedicated for drivers making a right turn on Hwy 50 would have made Coastal Landing a safer, more accommodating experience for shoppers to this grandest strip mall in town. My wisest of in-laws said the cost to move the post supporting the overhead traffic lights would cost in excess of $100,000. As an alternative I don’t understand why considerate planning couldn’t have provided access to and from Jacqueline Road to the north and/or Chambord Street eastward to Sunshine Grove, thus relieving traffic along Hwy 50. An opportunity lost.

At the west end, trying to make a left turn out of the inconvenient location of the K Store, or a left from the frontage road of the Coastal Landing parking lot, again puts driver’s patience to the test. Whether making a right, left or proceeding straight out of Walgreen’s doesn’t help matters. I am surprised there aren’t more accidents because of these situations.

Instead, I notice there’s another entrance-only driveway along Cortez. It’s just one more wlcome mat without a thankful exit.

A phrase that comes to mind are the infamous words of my dad, Robert Rae, when he made his opinion of such a state of affairs, “What a bugger”!


[12/29/2007 - I must correct some inaccuracies in this blog. There IS an entrance and exit at the east end of Coastal Landing connecting the parking lot with Chambord Street. There IS an entrance and exit at the east end of Coastal Landing connecting the parking lot with Jacqueline Road. An after-Christmas visit to Petco put the traffic situation in a different light. I doubt many people are aware of these conveniences. I also doubt that, although they alleviate some of the traffic woes, drivers will use these routes, partly because there are no signs to direct shoppers, but primarly because the majority of visitors will continue to enter and exit along Cortez, especially directly across from Wal-Mart.]