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County to rethink widening of 102nd
By Anne Lindberg, Times Staff Writer
Published February 27, 2008
CLEARWATER - Although everyone agreed 102nd Avenue N needs to be fixed, county commissioners decided Tuesday to rethink a proposal to widen the busy road. The goal is to come up with a plan that will ease the congestion on 102nd without adversely affecting the quality of life and safety of the neighborhood. With a bit of luck, a new plan could cost less than the $33-million price tag on the existing proposal. The county had proposed widening 102nd from Seminole Boulevard west to Antilles Drive (137th Street N) to four lanes, and add a median, bike lanes and sidewalks on each side. County traffic officials said the work was necessary because the road is substandard for the 20,000 vehicles that travel the road daily. But Tuesday, traffic officials backed off a bit, saying that they did not expect traffic growth in the in the area. Limiting the widening to three lanes, or finding another solution without widening the road, would not cause problemsy. The proposal provoked a swarm of protest from residents of the area who argued the final product would produce more speeding in the area as well as make it unsafe for pedestrians, bicyclists and horseback riders. They also said it would disturb the ambience of the neighborhood. Those arguments resonated with a majority of the County Commission during a Tuesday workshop at the Pinellas County Courthouse. Commissioner Bob Stewart said the county staff has to look at several items: The need for improvements, safety and intersections; the cost of an alternative and the time frame for getting a project completed. "This requires a revision of the planning that's taken place," Stewart said.
[Last modified February 26, 2008, 20:28:40]
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by Peggy
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03/03/08 07:48 AM
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This is a community road not a highway to get somewhere fast. Very few cars are going the speed limit as it is. A 4 lane would let them just go faster. Hopefully the commissioners will take this in consideration.
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by David
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02/29/08 10:21 AM
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The Commissioners were wise to take another look at this issue.
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by Less Concrete, more Green
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02/28/08 11:27 PM
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The Engineers say that there is no impact to the county, it's simply a local flow and safety issue; 4 lanes would bring in more cars, crime, gang activity, and encourage speeding. It would endanger the lives of children, horses, and all residents.
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by selfish seminole residents
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02/28/08 07:11 PM
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Guess what? The people who bought houses on 102nd are not the only ones affected by this!!! Mid-Pinellas needs this project.
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by Nancy
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02/27/08 01:57 PM
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Thank you to the Commissioners for taking a second look at the latest proposal for 102nd Ave. I hope they consider putting the section of roadway on 102nd from Seminole Blvd to 113th St. That section of road deteriorates more every day.
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