Politics & Government

$8.5 Million Projects Meant to Address Bike, Pedestrian Safety

Hillsborough County wants to hear from Westchase residents on several planned projects hoped to increase safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

With the Tampa Bay area continuing to top national lists for pedestrian and bicycle accident fatalities, Hillsborough County is exploring ways to make its roadways safer for those who opt to leave their cars at home.

To this end, the county wants to hear from Westchase residents on nine different proposed projects meant to address the concern while increasing safety for those walking or riding bikes in the area. A series of meetings on the projects, which are estimated to cost about $8.5 million combined, kicks off on Monday, April 1.

The Tampa Bay area ranks No. 2 in the nation when it comes to dangers posed to pedestrians, according to a study released by Transportation for America. It was beaten only by the Orlando-Kissimmee area in the danger department.

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The number of pedestrian and bicyclist deaths in Hillsborough County has also caught the attention of the Florida Department of Transportation. That agency launched an awareness campaign last summer following 16 pedestrian and eight bicyclist deaths between January and July 2012.

Residents who want to learn more about Hillsborough’s planned safety improvements are invited to attend these meetings:

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Hanley Road and Waters Avenue Improvements

This meeting is set for April 3 at Jackson Springs Park, 8620 Jackson Springs Park Road.

Improvements that will be discussed, according to the release, include:

  • Hanley Road between Hillsborough Avenue and Waters Avenue—raised median and street lighting additions, intersection improvements, and lane restriping
  • Waters Avenue between Sheldon Road and Florida Avenue—lane restriping to add a bicycle lane, street lighting and sidewalk ramp additions, and minor intersection improvements

Fletcher Avenue Improvements

This meeting takes place April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Roy Haynes Park, 1902 S. Village Ave.

The meeting will address planned improvements to Fletcher avenue from North Boulevard to Florida Avenue. The plan is to install raised medians and a mid-block crossing.

56th Street, 42nd Street, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Bearss Avenue Improvements

This meeting takes place April 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the University Area Community Development Center, 14013 N. 22nd St.

The following improvements will be discussed, according to a county media release:

  • 56th Street from Fletcher Avenue to Fowler Avenue—addition of sidewalk and a mid-block crosswalk, and restriping of bike lanes
  • 42nd Street from Fletcher Avenue to Bruce B. Downs—addition of sidewalks, mid-block crosswalks and street lighting
  • Bruce B. Downs Boulevard from Fletcher Avenue to Bearss Avenue—sidewalk additions and street lighting improvements
  • Bearss Avenue from Dale Mabry Boulevard to Lake Madgalene Boulevard—sidewalk additions, bike lane and road pull-out additions, and stormwater improvements
  • Bearss Avenue from Florida Avenue to 22nd Street—sidewalk and bike lane addition, restriping of existing bike lanes, and installing bicycle awareness signage

Construction on these projects is scheduled to start before the end of the year.

Are there other areas around town you’d like to see improved for pedestrian and bicyclist safety? Share your ideas by commenting below.


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