Residents rally to keep left turns
By LETITIA STEIN
Published May 20, 2005
Apollo Beach residents are rallying to protect a left turn onto U.S. 41 from Flamingo Drive.
The county has proposed modifying the median at the intersection to prohibit left turns from Flamingo onto northbound U.S. 41. But at least 500 people have signed a petition in opposition, according to petition organizer Gayle Lazarto, 49, of Apollo Beach.
On Monday night, she discussed how the proposal would create a traffic nightmare with several other concerned community members.
"This is a disaster as far as safety goes," said Merle Schrader, 64, owner of Westshore Pizza in Apollo Beach Center, a strip mall at the intersection. "People will not like the aggravation."
Without a left turn from Flamingo Drive, center customers and many residents would have to make a U-turn on U.S. 41 to head north. Some fear this would force more traffic onto residential streets leading to Apollo Beach Boulevard, which intersects with U.S. 41.
Still, Hillsborough County planners are trying to improve an already dangerous intersection. The proposal to restrict a left turn from Flamingo Drive stemmed from a county analysis that showed 14 preventable accidents at the intersection between April 1999 and late March 2001.
"The purpose of this project is to make it better," said Ben Kniesly, an engineer specialist with the county's Public Works department.
After a number of residents offered suggestions, Kniesly said, the project was put on hold so county staff members can take a second look at the intersection. Before moving forward with changes, officials will hold another public hearing for residents. No date is scheduled.
Kniesly said that county planners would review all alternative solutions suggested by residents. Some residents are interested in installing a traffic light at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Flamingo Drive.
Letitia Stein can be reached at 661-2443 or lstein@sptimes.com