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Letter to the editor

Signal may smooth traffic

Dr. Delay Navigating South Pinellas

By LORRIE LYKINS, Times Correspondent
Published August 26, 2007

Park Street can seem like a stock car race for folks trying to get out of Lighthouse Crossing on the east corner of Park and Tyrone Boulevard, home of Wal-Mart, PetSmart and other retailers. Add to that traffic drawn by the newly expanded Target across the street, and it's darn near impossible to find a break in traffic to enter or exit either shopping hub.

But now that the new Kohl's department store is about a month from opening at 49th Avenue N and Park Street, traffic may actually move a bit smoother because a new traffic signal has been installed at the department store's entrance.

The light has been activated to give motorists time to get used to a signal there; it's currently a flashing signal but will begin cycling in about two weeks.

Ken Jacobs, traffic signal operations manager for the county, said that the new signal will have fewer cycles and won't need to be removed once the project to widen Park Street to a six-lane divided highway begins next year.

102ND AVENUE

Feedback will be sought for improvements plan

Seminole readers are wondering whether there are updates on plans to improve 102nd Avenue.

Joan Enright wrote: "My question or gripe is the condition of 102nd Avenue. The westbound lane between Seminole Boulevard and 113th Street is like a washboard!

"I remember reading years ago that there was a plan to widen 102nd Avenue. What ever happened to that plan? I am one of the many that use this road daily and would appreciate at least a new surface if the main project is still a long way off."

Plans are still in the works for improvements to 102nd from Seminole Boulevard to 113th Street, said Pete Yauch of Pinellas County Public Works. But feedback from the community is critical to the plan, so a public meeting will be set sometime late this fall. We'll keep you updated, so stay tuned.

U.S. 19

Two years from now, project should bear fruit

Some motorists who frequently use U.S. 19 say the current improvement project from 49th Street to south of 126th Avenue N is reminiscent of the improvements on Interstate 4: seemingly never-ending.

While the barricades and orange barrels may be painful for daily commuters, the improvements will probably be worth it. Once the project is complete, the road will provide six lanes (three in each direction) with two-lane, one-way frontage roads on each side and separated interchanges at 110th and 118th avenues.

The project began in November and is scheduled to be completed in 2009. Hang in there, motorists. We only have about two years to go.

BRIDGES

State DOT posts bridge information on Internet

The Florida Department of Transportation has posted information on all publicly owned bridges in Florida on its home page: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/.

"In light of the recent bridge tragedy in Minnesota, we have been reviewing the conditions of our bridges to better ensure the safety of the traveling public," the DOT said in a news release last week.

The information posted on the Web site includes bridge age and ownership, average daily traffic, and the latest inspection dates.

PINELLAS BAYWAY

Electronic commuter pass renewal is near

If you use an electronic commuter pass to cross the Pinellas Bayway bridge, it's renewal time beginning Sept. 1. The cost for a one-year transponder is $50, which allows unlimited passage through Pinellas Bayway toll plazas. Call the SunPass toll-free customer service number, 1-888-865-5352, to renew or visit the Pinellas Bayway toll facility, 4501 54th Ave. S, Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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 August 25, 2007, 22:48:30]