Traffic causes concern at busy Olde Naples intersections

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NAPLES, Fla.- The City of Naples has spent nearly $1 million on new stop signs in Olde Naples but one local leader says more needs to be done to prevent crashes and to drivers safe.

“As a visitor, I found it a little bit confusing,” said Preston Shaw.

Shaw and his family are visiting from Kazakhstan. He found traveling through Olde Naples downright trecherous. Some of the intersections have a four-way stop. While others, like the one at 2nd Street South and 11th Avenue North do not.

“I found myself braking where there wasn’t a stop sign just in case,” said Shaw.

Charlie Canali has lived in Naples for the past 25 years and tells WINK News the problem is only getting worse.

“People don’t stop,” said Canali. “We’ve been here and hit twice so far this season.”

In an email to city council, Collier County’s EMS Medical Director, Doctor Robert Tober, said he was almost hit in Olde Naples this weekend. He’s now begging council members to step in. He recommended adding more signs that say “cross traffic does not stop” to the stop signs.

But, the city has already spent almost $1 million on changing the old wooden signs to new metal ones. Some council members are now worried adding to the new signs will be an eyesore. They also worry spending more money will not solve the problem and Canali agrees.

“I don’t think it would do any good,” said Canali. “I don’t.”

Naples Mayor John Sorey tells WINK News he’s asked the city manager and the police chief to start examining the issue to find a solution. Council is expected to discuss the issue at their meeting on Wednesday.

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