Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Dr. Delay

Rounding up roads as snowbirds settle

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published October 30, 2005

Yes, it's that time of year again. Judging from a tally of the out-of-state license plates in the grocery store parking lot this week, I venture to say that the snowbirds are rolling in.

Here's a quick roundup of traffic issues and information for those who have been out of the loop or off area roads for a while:

Ease up on the gas pedal when traveling on the beaches for the next seven months. The speed limit on Gulf Boulevard will be lowered to 35 mph, beginning about the first week in November. The Florida Department of Transportation will begin changing the speed limit signs starting next week.

Before you start e-mailing me about this, be assured that the speed limit change is temporary. Well, it might be. The DOT is conducting a seven-month study of the speeds on Gulf Boulevard.

"At the end of the seven months, spot speed studies will be made and the speed limits re-evaluated. If the studies indicate that drivers have not lowered their speed, the posted speed limit will revert to 40 mph," Kris Carson of the DOT said recently.

So what does this mean? If no one abides by the lowered speed limit, it will be jacked back up to 40 mph?

Well, yes, I guess so. But there is that issue of law enforcement and speeding tickets, too, which are pretty pricey these days. So proceed with caution, speedsters.

Wondering what the story is with the planned Pinellas Bayway bridge replacement project? Still?

Join the crowd. The project has been idling in neutral while legal wrangling with a construction company over a rejected bid dragged on. A recap of the construction delay:

When the DOT requested bids from contractors to do the job, only one contractor - Rosiek Construction Co. - submitted a bid, which was higher than DOT's budget for the job.

The DOT intended to reject the bid and solicit bids again, but Rosiek protested. This issue has been months in the process of being resolved, but things are moving forward again. The DOT will put the project out for bids again in early 2006. Carson said construction usually starts about four months after the project is put up for bids.

Yes, 66th Street is a nightmare right now and, based on the e-mails and phone calls I've been receiving lately, this assessment is unanimous.

My biggest complaint is the manhole covers that are protruding several inches above the pavement surface. Motorists who want to avoid hitting a manhole and launching into a Dukes of Hazzard-style up-on-two-wheels stunt are weaving all over the lanes to avoid them. Not good. But it's going to get better, according to Carson. Honest.

"The contractor still has the final layer of asphalt, or friction course, to place down. That will be about another 11/2 inches of asphalt. Asphalt has been placed around the manhole covers and is within our specifications. The riding surface will definitely improve when the friction course is complete. We estimate this project being done by the end of the year or early January," Carson said.

Oh, I hope so.

Now that hurricane season is thankfully winding down, maybe we can get some area road signs replaced that have been down since last hurricane season (2004).

One such sign is the Bryan Dairy Road sign that once was at the southwest corner of Bryan Dairy and U.S. 19. Some business owners have said that customers routinely miss the turn onto Bryan Dairy from U.S. 19 because there is no sign. The 118th Avenue street sign adds to the confusion for those in search of Bryan Dairy.

Railroad crossings around town continue to bug drivers. The worst one I've seen in awhile is on 28th Street at about 34th Avenue N. Lumber around the rails has degraded and broken up, and some drivers tell me that when cars drive over the crossing, pieces of wood sometimes pop up and a hole recently opened up there, adding to the fun.

According to Thomas Gibson, the city's assistant engineering director with traffic operations, there are multiple problems with the current condition of railroad crossings around town. Gibson said that street operations workers will be out to take a look at this particular crossing "before the end of the year," and added that something will be done to address the obvious safety issues at the location soon.

The 34th Ave. N crossing does not appear safe to negotiate for two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles or scooters, so it's best to avoid the area for now.

Gee, maybe all that money being spent on pretty bike lanes can be put to better use making some of our roads passable.

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 October 30, 2005, 01:13:18]