A task force created after a jogger was killed crossing Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard has proposed several good ways to make the road double safely as a park. The best ideas: to reduce Bayshore's six lanes to four and to add sidewalks on the boulevard's western edge. Both changes would preserve traffic flow while making it safer for pedestrians to stroll down Tampa's signature street.
Mayor Pam Iorio created the task force in February, a day after 39-year-old Melissa McKenzie was struck and killed crossing the street. Her death brought focus to the city's failure to balance the convenience of driving Bayshore - a sweeping 4.5-mile stretch, leashed by two traffic lights - with the safety of the thousands of people who walk, run and skate along the waterfront sidewalk every day.
The task force was right to suggest that the speed on Bayshore drop from 40 mph to 35. The lower speed limit will remind drivers that they are in a residential area. The group also tackled another major problem by calling on the city to build sidewalks along Bayshore's western edge. Building here is controversial because much of the land is now part of the front lawns of private homes and condominiums. Yet sidewalks are needed to give pedestrians safe access to the few crosswalks.
Reducing the six-lane stretches to four would help reduce the speedway mentality. The city, however, should study whether the northbound leg near downtown should be kept three-laned, in order to give emergency vehicles quicker access to Tampa General Hospital. The panel proposed eliminating the always-green traffic arrow at two northbound intersections. That change would be good. As is, the lights do not make it genuinely safe for pedestrians to cross there. No additional traffic lights are necessary.
The group will meet again June 9 before giving Iorio its recommendations. Members have done a commendable public service by thoughtfully balancing the competing needs of a valuable road that doubles as a park.
