REDINGTON BEACH – Public safety along Gulf Boulevard was the focus of the Redington Beach Town Commission meeting on Jan. 17.
The Florida Department of Transportation has proposed changes to the crosswalks in town, as a part of a plan to make crosswalks consistent along Gulf Boulevard. The Town Commission and several residents agree with a couple of the proposed changes such as uniform crosswalk signage and markings along Gulf Boulevard.
However, there are a range of opinions on proposed raised pedestrian safe havens in the middle lane of the well-traveled beach roadway.
Pedestrian refuge islands are planned for 157th, 158th, 160th, 162nd, 163rd and 164th avenues as part of a larger Gulf Boulevard pedestrian safety project, which has begun in St. Pete Beach.
The commission discussion stemmed from the state asking for public opinion on the proposed road improvements in Redington Beach by Jan. 20. Town leaders drafted a letter to FDOT asking the state to not include the raised medians in Redington Beach.
The consensus of the commission was that the medians would cause more problems on Gulf Boulevard than they would solve.
Commissioners expressed concern over motorists making u-turns to get in and out of driveways on the busy road. They also expressed concern over the small dimensions of the medians that they said would not afford much protection.
“Yes, if they could put real islands that might help, but they are putting in little bumps in the road,” said Vice Mayor Fred Steiermann. “They are giving us little dents to stand on.”
Resident and former Commissioner Paul Warren suggested improved road lighting as an alternative.
“Personally, I don’t think raised medians afford any protection,” he said. “Rather than make a u-turn on a busy road, why not go around the block?”
Resident and former Commissioner Leslie Peck-Epstein supported the medians.
“We are not talking about cementing the whole town,” she said. “We are talking about specific areas. They provide a middle safety zone for people to stop and look.”
The commission also asked the state to keep the crosswalks close to the beach access points.
“Inconvenience is a deterrent to public safety,” said Commissioner Tom Dorgan. “When we start moving crosswalks, people won’t use crosswalks. I applaud people looking both ways (before crossing the street) and people following the speed limits. If everyone did their part, all of this would be unnecessary.”
