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Dr. Delay

Uneven ride will smooth out eventually on I-275

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published February 27, 2005

So, you may wonder, what is going on with the bumpy patches the Florida Department of Transportation is laying down on Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg between 13th Avenue N and 62nd Avenue N? One reader complained that the patches are "uneven and have created a very bumpy ride, even bumpier than the cracks in the pavement they are apparently trying to mend."

Here's what John McShaffrey of the DOT had to say about the project, which began last month and is scheduled for completion in late 2005 or early 2006:

"The original roadway was built in 20-foot segments and our preconstruction surveying revealed that the entire roadway surface does not need to be replaced. So our contractor is replacing the worst slabs in that area. The work is going as planned and the "bumpy ride' was anticipated during construction due to having to use handwork in placing concrete in relatively small areas in a very tight (overnight) time frame.

"However, after all the slabs that need attention are replaced, the entire roadway will undergo a grinding process that will make for a very smooth-riding interstate. Similar work has been done elsewhere in the bay area, including areas north (Gandy Boulevard to Fourth Street N) and south (54th Avenue S to 13th Avenue N) of the current project area. You can ride these areas and feel the smoother ride."

Speaking of I-275, the same observant reader wonders who is responsible for clearing trash and rubbish from the interstate. Lately it looks like, in her words, "a garbage truck overturned." The answer, according to the DOT, is that the city of St. Petersburg is responsible. I'm certain that the problem will be addressed soon. If not, well, we'll all know about it, won't we?

More on road rage: A reader wrote to me about a startling experience he had while driving in Tampa recently. And while the issue arose due to an incident on the interstate in another county, road rage is a universal issue for anyone who drives.

Here's what the reader said: "While looping through the most dangerous part of "malfunction junction,' I was cut off for no reason by some idiot. I got his tag number and he did throw something at my car which missed. I know the standard advice is to slow down and avoid this type, but do I have any recourse? I thought it would be futile to call the Tampa police once I was back in St. Petersburg, but we should be able to get these maniacs off the road somehow. He is still on the loose, after all."

I spoke with Sgt. Tim Goodman of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, and Goodman said that these types of incidents are especially difficult to prosecute because they are in most cases one driver's account vs. another's. Unless there is a witness to corroborate what happened, victims of road rage are left with few options. But Goodman said that if you manage to jot down a license plate number, law enforcement will take a report.

If identification is made, the Sheriff's Office will make contact with the alleged perpetrator. If there is damage to your vehicle due to a road rage incident, contacting your auto insurance company is a good idea, but unless you have an eyewitness, it may be difficult to prove how your vehicle was damaged. Goodman encourages drivers to report such incidents.

"If a citizen wants to make a report, we will follow up; that's every citizen's right and what we're here for," he said.

The recent tragic pedestrian fatalities involving schoolchildren have motorists on high alert around schools and school buses, and judging from reader mail, safety around area schools is uppermost in everyone's mind these days. An e-mail came from a concerned commuter who travels Clearwater-Largo Road to and from work every day.

He wrote: "My query is related to the stretch of road in front of Mildred Helms Elementary School just south of West Bay Drive. There are signs painted on the pavement indicating "school,' and many cars slow down to 15 mph in this area in the morning, yet there are no signs indicating a school zone, no flashing lights, etc.

"In this case with no signs or lights, what is a driver allowed to do legally - is there a speed limit? I guess the bigger question is why are there no lights and signs on this busy road with young kids walking along it to and from school?"

Ken Jacobs, manager of signal operations for Pinellas County traffic, replied to my inquiry that the section of road the reader refers to has a "mid block pedestrian actuated traffic signal." What that means in layman's terms is that when children cross Clearwater-Largo Road, they cross at the traffic light that is directly in front of the school.

"This light is staffed by crossing guards and is only activated when there is a child that needs to cross the road," Jacobs said. "The guards usually display orange cones in the area of the light, and the signing is similar to a school zone, but the pedestrian signal is by far the safest possible method of crossing the children to the school."

Until next week, happy and safe motoring!

Please share your traffic concerns, comments and questions with Dr. Delay via e-mail at docdelay@yahoo.com

[Last modified February 27, 2005, 00:12:17]