Task force hopes new traffic light will save lives
The installation of the light and crosswalk represents change on Bayshore Boulevard.
By RICK GERSHMAN
Published March 10, 2006
BAYSHORE BOULEVARD - It might only look like a traffic light and a crosswalk.
But those pedestrian-friendly features, which workers began installing last week, represent a lot more to the people who live around and use Bayshore Boulevard and its linear park.
It's one more critical step in making Bayshore safer.
The new traffic light will stop northbound traffic at Bayshore and Howard Avenue - southbound traffic already had a full light. A new crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signals will help ensure safety.
That's been the goal of the Bayshore Task Force, a group of neighborhood and city leaders dedicated to reducing risks to pedestrians and drivers while retaining the road's unique charm.
Mayor Pam Iorio appointed the task force in 2004 after jogger Melissa McKenzie was killed crossing Bayshore during a morning run. Iorio hoped to reduce the danger of crossing Bayshore, as joggers, bikers, skaters and others enjoy its expanse of waterfront sidewalk.
In 2004, Iorio budgeted $200,000 for various task force recommendations, including sidewalks, crosswalks and signs. Last May, city workers installed digital signs along Bayshore that advise drivers how fast they're going and remind them to obey the 40 mph limit.
Sue Lyon, a member of the task force, has been impressed with the signs' success. Drivers appear to consistently slow down when they see the signs.
"I think they think that there's a cop on the other side of it, and oftentimes there is," Lyon said.
"The speed on Bayshore has come down dramatically. And the accidents have gone down considerably. We've had a lot of police out there."
Last week, police Maj. John Bennett provided the task force updated statistics on Bayshore's speeding and accident rate.
"It looks like we are reducing crashes with less need to write more citations, which shows that the education, awareness and enforcement is working in a nice blend," Bennett said in an e-mail.
"It also shows that our DUI squad and District I squads are doing a nice job in the evening hours, since nighttime crashes have reduced to almost half between 2004 and 2005."
Police also had to write fewer tickets last year, perhaps due to drivers slowing near the signs.
"I think the drivers have come to accept that the city's not going to accept them speeding" on Bayshore, Lyon said.
However, dangers remain. Lyon's husband, Herb, said he "almost got killed" earlier this week during his daily walk, at a spot where there are no crosswalks yet.
It happened about 5 a.m. at Bayshore and Gandy Boulevard, which Herb Lyon called "a very dangerous intersection."
"I was crossing Bayshore and going down Gandy, and a truck came around the corner onto Bayshore and just about hit me," he said. "He was doing like 40 mph going around the corner there.
And last week, a crash occurred at Bayshore and Waverly Avenue just feet from the fatal accident that prompted the task force. It was the result of a man with outstanding warrants trying to elude Florida Highway Patrol troopers.
It's a reminder that Bayshore, for all its beauty, can be dangerous. That's why the city continues to implement safety features. Workers have added sidewalks to the west side of Bayshore from Howard to Bay to Bay Boulevard.
The city plans to continue adding sidewalks south of Bay to Bay as early as this spring, said Steve Daignault, administrator for public works and utilities.
And a full traffic light and crosswalks for another Bayshore intersection are on the drawing board.
"In next year's budget, we expect to ask for Bayshore and Bay to Bay the same sort of thing, full stop in both directions, crosswalks, the whole nine yards," Daignault said.
Overall, Daignault said, Bayshore has become a far safer road for everyone.
"This will be our third year putting some money toward that effort and we are seeing a positive effect," he said. "And the task force people are continuing to look at this. We'll probably get together again a little later this year, and see what we want to recommend next year for that budget.
"It's just important that people who walk and use Bayshore know that their voice is being heard and things are changing for the better."
- Rick Gershman can be reached at rgershman@sptimes.com or 813 226-3431.
BAYSHORE BY THE NUMBERSDaytime accidents (6 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
140 2004
125 2005
Nighttime accidents
33 2004
18 2005
Traffic tickets
2,325 2004
1,660 2005
Source: Tampa Police Department