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You'll be safe, state promises Gospel Island

The Department of Transportation says that although there will be no temporary bridge to the island, residents will still get proper emergency medical attention.

By CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
Published November 5, 2005

INVERNESS - Department of Transportation officials told about 150 concerned Gospel Island residents Thursday evening that they will still receive adequate emergency medical attention while crews construct a new bridge to the island.

Pointing to posters set up around the perimeter of the Citrus County Auditorium, the DOT officials said that despite an 8.8-mile detour that will send drivers looping around Gospel Island Road and State Road 44, emergency response will continue uninterrupted during the eight-month project. And citizens will not be at risk, they said.

But some residents who attended the meeting weren't convinced.

Al Grubman, president of a homeowners association in Pritchard Island, said the concerns he has raised at recent city and county meetings were not addressed. Many residents moved to their homes on the island in order to be close to the hospital, he said, and the detour will result in delayed emergency response.

"There was no consideration for the input of the residents who would have to suffer through this thing," he said. "I'm very concerned that they're creating a dangerous situation and that basically the politicians involved, most of them just don't seem to care."

DOT officials originally promised to build a temporary bridge to the island to allow passage during construction. But in September they told local officials that building a temporary bridge would be too expensive, adding $1.1-million to the project's cost and adding 10 months to the duration of the project.

Without construction of a temporary bridge, the project will begin in summer 2006 and take eight months, according to the DOT. And the contractor will receive a $200,000 incentive if crews complete the project early.

Officials at the meeting said many residents came in with concerns and left with a better understanding of the DOT's plans. Some who were originally in favor of a temporary bridge changed their minds once they learned that crews would have to tear down trees in order to construct it.

Thursday evening's meeting came about a week and a half after DOT officials presented plans at a County Commission meeting.

Project manager John Escobio said that since that meeting he has met with officials from Nature Coast EMS, Citrus County Fire Rescue and the Citrus County School District to plan for the detour.

He said they are still hammering out the details of their plans. According to a poster on display during the meeting, fire and EMS officials have said they would be willing to staff the volunteer fire station, for the duration of the project, with a paramedic and two firefighters available 24 hours a day. In addition, the station could house a paramedic response vehicle equipped with advanced life support and a fire engine with all capabilities and basic life support.

The detour will also add about 20 minutes to school bus routes on the island, which school officials will incorporate into route planning in July, Escobio said.

Commissioner Joyce Valentino, who attended the meeting, said DOT and EMS officials have adequately addressed emergency response concerns raised by citizens. The 54-year-old bridge needs to be replaced, she said, and if neighborhood opposition causes the DOT to drop the project, then Gospel Island residents eventually will have to pay for a replacement themselves.

"It's going to inconvenience a lot of us, but when it's finished, we'll be happy," said Gospel Island resident Eleanor Smith. "This is one of these things that has to happen. I'm not thrilled about it."

Smith said she attended Thursday's meeting to ask officials to put a stoplight at Gospel Island Road (also known as County Road 470) and SR 44 E during the detour. Without a signal, she said, traffic problems could be dangerous.

Scott Collister, a district director of transportation development for the DOT, said DOT officials will consider Smith's request. They plan to continue their discussions with the county during the months leading up to the project, he said.

Catherine E. Shoichet can be reached at cshoichet@sptimes.com or 860-7309.

[Last modified November 5, 2005, 01:22:18]