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RON MATUSResidents and city officials are opposed to the possible closing of a section of Watrous Street and its railroad crossing.
State officials are finishing a review that will determine whether the railroad crossing on Watrous Avenue - and a section of Watrous itself - should be closed.
The Florida Department of Transportation action was prompted in January, after Robert Dikman, who lives near the crossing, filled out a one-page closure request.
City officials oppose the closing, which would result in shutting down Watrous where it intersects Howard Avenue.
Many residents of New Suburb Beautiful and Palma Ceia are also opposed, fearing longer response times for emergency vehicles and more traffic diverted to other neighborhood roads, such as Estrella Street.
Both Watrous and Estrella run between Howard and MacDill avenues.
"Estrella is already overused," said Brent Baris, vice president of the Palma Ceia Neighborhood Association.
DOT officials will make a recommendation after they finish analyzing safety, alternate routes and other factors. The process may also include a public hearing, but no date has been set.
Meanwhile, residents will continue to fume about what they see as a baffling process.
One resident set up a Web site, www.subika.com/againstclosing/ that includes more than 15 letters in opposition. One begins, "To whomever happens to have a grain of common sense left."
"You can check a box and sign your name and have a street closed," Baris said. "Isn't that incredible?"
DOT's response: "If one person calls us and wants us to review something," said DOT district spokeswoman Kris Carson, "we'll do it."
- Ron Matus can be reached at 226-3405 or matus@sptimes.com