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Dr. Delay

Statistics don't warrant work at Fourth Street S

By LORRIE LYKINS
Published March 12, 2006

When I was in high school, the corner of Fourth Street and 46th Avenue S was a busy, heavily traveled intersection, mostly because of the Chicken Unlimited that sat at the corner. For a much-too-brief but glorious time, the fast food restaurant sold some of the tastiest fried chicken around, and the swarm of cars speeding in and out of the packed parking lot attested to its popularity.

After Chicken Unlimited closed, the corner never seemed as lively as it had during those halcyon days of the 1970s. But things have picked up again, according to some readers.

Richard King wrote in a recent e-mail: "My concern is the stretch of Fourth Street S leading south from about 46th Avenue S (at the bridge to Coquina Key). People drive way too fast there and the intersection at Fourth Street and 54th Avenue S is quite dangerous in my opinion. It's hard to see around the corner, the road is narrow, and people constantly speed."

King suggested that perhaps a traffic signal at the intersection of 46th Avenue and Fourth Street would help calm traffic and prevent accidents.

I passed King's comments along to Michael Frederick, manager of Neighborhood Transportation for the city of St. Petersburg.

Frederick said the city last reviewed the intersection in December 2003 and found that the area didn't meet requirements for the installation of an all-way stop. But Frederick did say that, although the posted limit is 35 mph, studies showed the operational speed on Fourth Street was about 43 mph.

"Crash history at this intersection showed three reported crashes in the past 12 months, one crash as a result of failing to yield, one crash was a sideswipe near this intersection, and one crash where a vehicle ran into the drainage ditch near this intersection. None of these crashes would be corrected by placing an all-way stop at this intersection," Frederick said. Frederick said his office will assess current conditions on Fourth Street S and let us know what the latest conclusion is, so stay tuned.

Ever wonder how speed humps wind up where they do?

One reader wondered enough to e-mail me about it, and I'm glad he did because the response from Frederick is pretty informative.

I now know a lot more about speed humps than I ever imagined I would. Here is what reader David N. Poulin wrote: "I was a highway safety engineer for over 30 years and I'd like to know what the parameters are in regards to speed bumps on our local streets.

"Most of them in the N.E. are positioned effectively. However, there are three along 44th Avenue NE between First Street N and Birch St. NE and I'd like to question two of them. The one between Birch Street and Maple Street - which is only two blocks - seems to be quite a wasted effort to have a speed bump only one block from a stop sign.

"And why have a speed bump only 300-plus feet west of the stop sign at Locust Street? It seems to me the proper location should have been in the area of Bay Street, which would split the distance between Locust Street and First Street."

Frederick said the design and location of speed humps are dictated by citizens through a petition process with the public.

"We can't always place speed humps where we would like to for the best design. We must follow the petitions process and when residents request that they do not want them (speed humps) placed in front of their property or if there are missing signatures that can not be obtained, we can only place them in certain positions," Frederick wrote in an e-mail last week.

Frederick said the ideal position for a speed hump is about 400 feet from a stop sign or another speed hump. But if a resident protests the placement, city workers must find the next suitable location to locate a speed hump.

Things don't always end up the way everyone concerned would like, and often residents request that traffic calming be implemented in spite of protests from others because of concerns about speeding traffic. Frederick said some residents actually request that humps be installed directly in front of their homes.

"It's also important to remember that (a speed hump) may seem a little too close to a stop sign when approaching the stop, but not everyone stops at stop signs (another of our major complaints) but the location is also effective for traffic traveling the other direction," Frederick said.

We forgot about the sign near the Trop: Reader Robert Hempel wrote: "A few weeks ago a reader wrote complaining about the lack of any sign alerting northbound travelers on I-275 they were passing through St. Petersburg.

"Your research with the (Florida Department of Transportation) came up with a DOT sign located along the highway after crossing the Skyway northbound. What was not mentioned was the large information sign erected by the Tampa Bay Rays adjacent to I-275 where the stadium exit is located. Under the sign in very large white letters it is clearly written "Welcome to St. Petersburg." I am not sure how many could miss it as it is directly in your line of vision when driving north on the interstate."

And right he is. Thanks for the heads up, Robert.

I spent a few days driving through the Smokey Mountains with my family last week and as beautiful as the scenery was, I found myself noticing the roads. We take a lot for granted in the Tampa Bay area. True, we are packed in like sardines and there are too many vehicles straining the overtaxed corridors. But there is a lot to be said for multiple lanes and smooth road surfaces and guardrails. Thank goodness for guardrails. They are a comfort that I sorely missed while winding along steep, icy, mountain roads.

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 March 12, 2006, 01:18:21]