TAMPA, Fla. — Plant City is growing, and with that growth comes construction and new projects. 

But some people have expressed traffic safety concerns about the intersection of North Park Road and East Sam Allen Road near the new Plant City hospital.

What You Need To Know

  • Some Plant City residents have expressed concerns over safety at the Sam Allen Road and North Park Road intersection

  • Lee Dominguez said he has seen accidents and is asking leaders for a light at the intersection

  • Plant City officials said they are working to install a four-way stop signal

  • Hillsborough County officials said a developer will install a traffic light in the future

Lee Dominguez frequents the area. 

“I’m probably out here about three or four days out of the week,” he said

Family keeps him tied to the Plant City community. He was raised there and visits his family frequently.

“I can see the traffic patterns and how it’s getting overpopulated,” Dominguez said.

He joined a community Facebook group known as the "Plant City Word of Mouth" to stay in the know about what’s happening in and around the city, and one of the biggest issues he's come across there is safety at the intersection of North Park Road and East Sam Allen Road.

He wanted to see for himself, so when he has time, he sits and watches in that area.

“I’ll watch and see the driving habits, and I see a lot of people jump the stop sign," Dominguez said. "I’ve seen near misses.”

Dominguez said he just wants something to be done for his family and for others.

"It’s just a big, open intersection," he said. "There is more room for error.”

Plant City officials said they have submitted plans to the county for the installation of an all-way stop control system at the intersection because installation of a traffic signal there is a county project.

To try to address concerns for now, the city said it has implemented flashing beacons and is looking to add a stop pavement message on the roadway. It also plans to have a four-way stop at the intersection by the end of June.

Hillsborough County also said a traffic signal will be installed in the future by a developer in the area. Officials said they will continue to work with Plant City to evaluate and determine what more should be done.

Dominguez said he's open to growth, but he just wants his new and old neighbors to feel safe in the community in which he grew up.

“I just feel like it’s something that needs to be put forward with urgency,” he said.