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Project's not over, but road, signs help

By STEPHEN HEGARTY
Published May 29, 2005

If you drive on State Road 54 in the Trinity area, it's time to see what that newly constructed road is like.

This week, traffic will be rerouted onto the new road. The switch is supposed to happen late Thursday. Friday morning on your way to work, you should be on all new asphalt and off the temporary, beatenup old road. This is the area from Little Road to near Starkey Boulevard.

For the record, the Florida Department of Transportation says the project is still on schedule. That means we're still nine or more months from completion. Officials have been saying spring 2006 all along.

Typically, if a project is going to be thrown off schedule, it is the rainy summer months that mess things up. So cross your fingers.

And while we're on that subject ...

Have you noticed the blue signs along the construction route telling you what road or business is up ahead? They're kind of nice. They make it a little easier, with all the barricades and construction mess. There's a sign that says Ellington Place just before you get to that intersection. Beats squinting and slowing down to read the street sign.

It makes you wonder why we don't do that everywhere.

But do we need all the signs? Near Gunn Highway, there's a nice blue sign that reads "7 Eleven." What? A 7-Eleven? Where? Oh, is that it by that enormous, elevated, illuminated 7-Eleven sign in orange, red and green? How about the discreet blue "Hess" sign? Is that it by the green-lettered Hess signs by the gas pumps?

U.S. 41 slowdown

Work crews will be back Tuesday and Wednesday along U.S. 41 near the Causeway Boulevard area working on some turn lanes. That means lane closures. You know how it works. Someone with an orange vest stopping traffic on one side, then the other. You'll be able to get through, but it might take a few minutes.

Work is supposed to start after 9 a.m. and end about 3:30 p.m. That way, rush hour isn't affected.

Move over

Yes, the governor vetoed the bill that would have required slow-driving motorists to get the heck out of the left lane. And yes, his reasoning was sound. It probably would encourage people to speed and would penalize drivers who obey the speed limit.

However, in keeping with the guiding principle of this column, we'd like to point out the obvious: It is still a good idea to stay in the right lane and let faster traffic go by.

You don't need a new law to tell you that. And you certainly don't need a snarky columnist to tell you that.

Here's a good rule of thumb: Go with the flow.

(It's short, to the point. It rhymes. So it must be good advice.)

Say the speed limit is 55. You are going 50 and everyone else seems to be going 60 plus. Guess who is causing the most danger? Sorry, but it's the motorist driving within the speed limit. You are forcing people to tap brakes and switch lanes, always a scary sight.

We're not suggesting anyone break the law. But, within reason, going with the flow is usually the best strategy.

And if you can't go with the flow, get over in the right lane.

--Want to vent about traffic problems? Drivers' Side welcomes commuters' rants, comments and suggestions. Send e-mail to hegarty@sptimes.com or leave a phone message at 813 909-4610.

[Last modified May 30, 2005, 01:39:09]