The results of our West Boca roads survey are in. We asked a few questions and got a lot of answers from 178 people.
First, we asked readers about their favorite roads between East Boca and West Boca. Palmetto Park was the most popular with Yamato and Clint Moore close behind. Compared to Yamato, Clint Moore actually had more people list it as their favorite. However, Yamato had the highest number of “second-best” votes.
The lowest rated road on that question was Glades. 65% of readers rated it their least favorite, and only 4% rated it their favorite.
Boca Rio was the most popular shortcut in West Boca, followed by Cain Boulevard. Kimberly Blvd (441 to Lyons) edged out Ponderosa/Winikoff (Glades to 441 South) for third. Readers also mentioned a few we neglected, including Military Trail (which goes under Glades Road), Palmetto Circle from Powerline to Palmetto Park Road, and Potomac from Jog Road to Military Trail.
We asked which intersection readers thought was the most dangerous. Glades & 441 was the “winner” of that one with 40% rating it a deathtrap. The Glades-Turnpike intersection came in second with 27% giving it the worst rating and another 26% giving it the second worst – “Danger Will Robinson.” Sandalfoot and 441 rated third scariest. Yamato-Lyons and Yamato-Jog tied for the safest in the opinion of survey respondents.
A number of readers pointed to smaller intersections we left out of the survey, especially Lyons Road at both SW 8th and SW 18th, and also the entrances to the various plazas around Glades and 441.
Next we asked about potential improvements. The hands-down winner of this question was adding an entrance from westbound Palmetto Park on the south side of West Boca Square (near Chili’s). 73% of respondents love that idea against only 6% who hate it. Raising the speed limit on Clint Moore was somewhat popular.
Readers did not love the idea of a bridge from the west end of Palmetto Park into Parkland, but it was not as unpopular as we expected. 39% were opposed but 25% were in favor and another 36% were okay with it. Adding lanes to Palmetto Park was also somewhat unpopular. And readers were about even on the idea of a Turnpike mini-exit at SW 18th.
We asked about converting various intersections to roundabouts (aka traffic circles) and it’s pretty clear that our readers don’t like them. The least unpopular location for one was at Cain and Yamato with only 72% opposed. The most unpopular was 441 and Clint Moore with 82% opposed. We think roundabouts are inherently safer and improve traffic flow, but it’s obvious our readers disagree with us.
Maybe the guys at Mythbusters will persuade you?
There were nearly 50 general comments but nothing too consistent. There were a few gripes about panhandlers and Boca drivers, but less than we figured were coming.
What should we survey next? We’re thinking pizza and Italian restaurants but we’re open to other ideas.
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