Upgrade Southern, but fix SR 7 first

I read Thursday’s lead story, “State to explore further Southern Blvd. upgrades,” with interest. It is important that adequate roads be provided for an expanding number of homes and businesses along State Road 80. It is, however, just as important that upgrades and improvements be made to major arteries in developed areas.

State Road 7 (U.S. 441) between Lake Worth Road and Southern Boulevard has several areas that need immediate attention because of dangerous conditions. The northbound left-turn stacking lanes at Pierson Road, across from Home Depot, and at Southern Boulevard are often full, causing backups into the left “through” lane.

Drivers are caught offguard when the traffic in front of them has to jam on the brakes when encountering this problem. The situation gets more dangerous when frustrated drivers attempt to get around the problem and blindly move into the next lane to the right.

Also, traffic coming west on Southern Boulevard and turning left onto SR 7 can back up for at least three traffic-light cycles. These conditions

This results in a situation where house A and house B can have the same value, but house A can pay 20 to 30 percent higher property tax than house B. Conversely, house A and house B can pay the same property tax, but house A can be valued 20 to 30 percent higher.

How can any person say this is a fair and equitable property-tax system?