A troubled intersection in the heart of Miami Lakes has new barriers to protect residents from out-of-control vehicles.
Several crashes have crumbled the walls that surround the Loch Isle community at the northwest corner of Miami Lakes Drive and Miami Lakeway North.
In June, the Town of Miami Lakes completed installation of 15 green bollards that wrap around the corner.
A study for the intersection was conducted in 2022. Councilman Josh Dieguez in May 2023 asked the town to speed up the process.
“One of the recommendations [of the study] that could be implemented quickly was the installation of bollards,” Public Works Director Omar Santos said.
The traffic devices create a barrier that protects the corner, the traffic light pole, the swale and the community’s wall.
Before bollards were installed, in April 2023, a car traveling 65 mph slammed into the wall. Debris flew into the Loch Isle parking lot.
From Jan. 1, 2022 - May 2023, police reports documented at least 12 non-fatal crashes -- between vehicles, into trees or a hydrant -- at the intersection where the speed limit is 30 mph.
Despite flashing lights and signs that warn drivers to slow down, the stretch has proven to be deadly.
Three people reportedly died in 2015 after a car ended up lodged between the wall and the traffic light, according to a WPLG Ch.-10 report.
“I can’t think of another example of an intersection that needs it,” Dieguez told The Miami Laker on July 31. “It’s unique because of the curvature of the road.”
The town hasn’t had requests for barriers to be installed elsewhere. Loch Isle was a special case due to all the accidents happening there, Dieguez said.
The project required engineering plans since the design is atypical.
“We installed 15 bollards and everything, with the concrete work and the sod restoration, was $22,935,” Santos said.
Funding for the entire project came from state transportation gas tax funds, Santos said.
Loch Isle resident Javier Ley-Soto, who served as HOA president in 2023, was very happy to see the barriers installed.
“I think it’s very important not only for Loch Isle, but the residents of Miami Lakes,” Ley-Soto said.
The corner is busy. Pedestrians walk, run, exercise their dogs and pass by with children.
“I’m really happy it moved forward,” Ley-Soto said.