WEEKS after a massive construction project was announced, sidewalks leading to a dozen homes were blocked off as piles of dirt replaced the neighborhood’s once-paved streets.
Residents of Cape Coral, Florida, said they were trapped by unpaved streets and dozens of construction workers, despite earlier promises from the city that they could get out easily.
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Crews excavated roads to install a massive gravity sewer in October 2023, according to local CBS affiliate BLINK.
Previously, houses in the neighborhood received water from a well. The construction project was set to pull everyone into the city’s reservoir.
Workers worked on the streets 12 hours a day, five days a week to complete the project.
The city announced plans to expand public services to new developments on the city’s outskirts earlier this year.
Read more about blocked sidewalks
But the construction project disrupted daily activities, residents complained, and they were unable to get their cars off the sidewalks.
Homeowners struggled to get to work and students struggled to get to school on time.
“They just started tearing up the road this week and started blocking off the area,” Paige Hale, who lives in the area, told WINK.
“I don’t understand how I’m going to get to doctor appointments or leave if an emergency happens.”
Hale, who lived with her husband, young son and five dogs, said she was unable to leave the house as promised.
“They gave us orange paper stating that we could come and go as we pleased from an area, even if it was blocked off,” she said.
“But now they’re tearing up the whole road.”
Hale said the construction workers were “friendly,” so she couldn’t fault them for doing their jobs.
However, giant excavators and dirt-covered yellow dump trucks were parked in deep holes that replaced the pavement.
The project continued to prevent other neighbors from leaving their homes in their cars.
Why is it illegal to block a driveway?
Blocking a driveway is illegal in the United States due to limiting access to emergency care.
In addition to being reckless, blocking a driveway is a serious safety hazard, cops say.
Blocking someone’s entryway is illegal in all 50 states, with fines and penalties varying by state.
For example, blocking a driveway in San Francisco, California can net a driver a hefty $286 towing fee and a $110 fine.
This does not include food to recover the vehicle from an impound lot, which costs on average more than $600.
In an emergency, a blocked entrance can mean the difference between life and death for a patient.
“In the United States, it is illegal to block a driveway, even your own,” says Parklio’s website.
“It’s a matter of public safety: emergency services like fire trucks, ambulances or police cars need this space to enter and exit.
“An obstructed driveway can also prevent vehicles from getting out onto the road to seek emergency services.”
Source: San Francisco Police Department, Parquelio
The US Sun followed the city. They said the project continues to be completed in phases.
Several areas of the community will undergo similar construction from 2024 until the end of 2045.
Officials told the station at the time that “maintaining access to homes and businesses is a priority.”
They also estimated that construction would take two weeks in the neighborhood.
Homeowners were warned that “street paving or sidewalk construction” would limit access to sidewalks during the two weeks, they added.
“I’m a little upset with the city,” Hale added.
“I really want to be able to go out and past my driveway. And the same for my neighbors.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
