A possible road closure in Levy County may re-route residents into Marion County in the near future. A petition to close the road was submitted by a landowner, stating the dirt road is unsafe and too busy. If closed, the detour will cost drivers an extra three miles worth of gas.
Administrative road superintendent, Bruce Greenlee, says the petition for the road was submitted by Levy County resident Mike Joyner, who happens to be a sheriff's deputy. Joyner is out of town, and did not return our calls. Greenlee says the Joyner family owns the land where SE 216th Terrace meets County Road 464. He says it was the Joyners who initially had the road opened so school buses could have access to Ocala Highlands West neighborhood to pick up kids. But Greenlee says, "now he wants to get it vacated because its just become such a hazard and a lot of traffic."
If closed, school buses will also have to take the longer alternate route. Residents in the Ocala Highlands West neighborhood are not happy about the possible closure. Charlene Henderson says, "my son may have to get up earlier in the morning to get on the bus, he'll be getting home later which messes up my schedule."
The public hearing that will decide if residents will be re-routed will be May 17th.