Accidents spotlight bridge's hazards

Engineers are trying to see how they can improve safety on Park Boulevard Bridge.

By JANE MEINHARDT

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 27, 2000

INDIAN SHORES -- Some motorists have learned the hard way that crossing the eastbound span of Park Boulevard Bridge can be hazardous to your health.

So many accidents have happened on the span -- especially while it was wet -- that Pinellas County engineers are planning ways to make the 1.6-mile bridge safer.

"We know there's a problem," said Toni Horrnik, a county structural engineer. "The design is according to guidelines, but the geometry is different from other bridges we have that are straight. We're investigating ways to enhance the safety."

The 18-year-old Park Boulevard Bridge really is two bridges, one eastbound and one westbound. The eastbound span curves and banks as it rises from the Gulf Boulevard approach from Indian Shores. The curve leads to the metal grating of the drawbridge, where the road straightens.

Black tire marks and paint scrapes mark both barrier walls on the span, showing were cars have hit.

In 1998 and 1999, there were 14 accidents on the eastbound span of the bridge. County statistics show all of them involved vehicles that veered out of control on the bridge. At least 10 of the accidents happened when the bridge was wet.

By comparison, there were three accidents on the westbound span, mostly rear-end collisions, during the same period. There is no sharp curve on the westbound span.

These eastbound span statistics do not include Monday's accident. A sport utility vehicle veered out of control in rain, hit a bridge barrier wall and flipped. The impact flung 15-year-old Maggie Harmon out of the truck and over the wall. She landed in mangroves about 40 feet below, sustaining minor injuries.

The driver, 17-year-old David Schomas, was cited for failure to use due care. He could not be reached Wednesday.

"It wasn't his fault," said Jim Schmidt, who lives off Park Boulevard near the bridge. "If you're still turning your wheels when you hit that metal after the curve, you're in trouble. I almost lost it myself, and I was prepared for it."

Trish Emser, an Indian Rocks Beach resident, became so concerned about the number of accidents on the bridge in February that she gathered statistics and wrote letters to county officials.

More than once, she momentarily lost control of her vehicle while driving the eastbound span in the rain. She has also lost control of her bicycle while crossing the bridge's metal grating. Concerned, she has collected at least 50 bicyclists' signatures on petitions that ask the county to investigate bridge's conditions.

"I feel there's a real unique problem there," Emser said. "I think that girl who got thrown over the bridge was lucky. My consideration is for others who might get hurt or killed."

Keith Wicks, county public works director, said the bridge's steel grate is the same type of decking used in other bridges. He acknowledged that depending on the type of car, size of tires and speed, a motorist may experience some "shifting" on the metal deck.

The bridge's speed limit is 40 mph, but there are warning signs that say it's best to take the curve or cross the metal grating at 25 mph. The signs also warn that the bridge is slippery when wet.

In June, county commissioners approved reducing the bridge's speed limit to 30 mph, said Pete Turgeon, a county traffic engineer. New signs are expected to be posted this week.

"I felt that 40 mph was too fast on the bridge ramp," Turgeon said.

Turgeon said engineers also are working on other safety features.

"We are going to put up new speed signs and redo the signing pattern," he said. "We're also going to install some rumblesticks on the pavement to get drivers' attention."

To make the metal grate safer for bicyclists, county officials are considering installing fiberglass plating to create a continuous surface on the sidewalks and bridge shoulder.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.