RUSKIN, Fla. — A Ruskin resident is frustrated over the condition of the roads there, especially on the streets and intersections along US 41.
Bob Gipson says he’s been trying to get Hillsborough County’s attention on roads like 7th Ave, just east of US 41.
“The road is dark. Not enough lighting. There are no sidewalks,” Gipson said.
Gipson has been living in Ruskin for five years. He’d like to see the roads improved as they continue to get busier.
“The population here is increasing so much, they have to do something to these intersections and the infrastructure throughout Ruskin," he said.
His main concern is safety.
He’ll often see pedestrians walking in the middle of 7th Ave because there are no sidewalks, and sometimes at night where there is little lighting.
“It’s not a matter of if something is going to happen. It’s a matter of when,” Gipson said.
In addition, he’d like to see the open intersections along US 41 addressed as well, as he is concerned about the growing traffic.
“You got people turning left, right, going straight. Sometimes there are four cars turning at one time,” Gipson said.
Hillsborough County officials say they have received requests from Gipson to look into these issues.
Teams are now studying the street lighting on 7th Ave to see if lights should be added. There is also an open request for new pavement markings at the intersection of 7th Ave and US 41. In addition, crews are investigating the sidewalk request as well.
Gipson is hopeful some of these fixes will be made.
“How much more evidence do you need to fix the infrastructure?” he said.