A newly activated traffic signal on Moccasin Wallow Road is bringing much needed relief to local commuters and paving the way for major commercial development in northern Manatee County.
The light is now operational at the intersection of Moccasin Wallow Road, Robinson Gateway Drive to the north and 71st Avenue East to the south.
The north side of the intersection serves as the primary entrance for The Carlton at Robinson Gateway apartment complex and a massive upcoming retail plaza. The commercial site is slated to house major brands, including a Home Depot and CVS. Additional plans for the plaza feature a Chase Bank, a McDonald’s, a car wash, a gas station and several yet-to-be-determined fast-casual and drive-thru restaurant concepts. The booming development sits just one traffic light away from the under-construction BayCare Hospital.
On the south side of the intersection, the new signal is already being hailed as a godsend by residents of the Regency Oaks subdivision. The community’s entrance is located directly on 71st Avenue East. Before the light was installed, Regency Oaks drivers faced dangerously long wait times while attempting to make a left hand turn onto westbound Moccasin Wallow Road.
The intersection upgrade comes in addition to the new traffic signals activated at I-75 and Moccasin Wallow Road late last year, which were installed to help handle the massive influx of motorists using the interstate interchange.
Traffic volume along the entire corridor has surged in recent years. Explosive residential growth and the construction of thousands of new homes further east have caused heavy daily congestion, making unprotected turns increasingly difficult for established neighborhoods.
The new signal aims to streamline the flow of traffic, improve safety for exiting residents and provide a structured, safe traffic pattern ahead of the impending retail openings at Robinson Gateway.
