GOING IN CIRCLES: Does Siesta Key need a roundabout?

In November, the Florida Department of Transportation presented three options for a high-accident Siesta Key intersection: Do nothing, signalize the right turn lane or build a roundabout. Residents packed the Feb. 5 Siesta Key Association meeting to see the first renderings of what these options would look like and share their concerns.

One of the top concerns for residents was pedestrian safety at the Midnight Pass Road/Beach Road intersection. Consequently, safety is FDOT’s motivating factor in improving the intersection: There have been 11 accidents at the intersection in the last five years.

At the meeting, SKA members said the crosswalks shown on the renderings of the roundabout were too close to the traffic maneuvering through it.

Michael Shay, president of SKA, was also concerned that if a large group of people crossed at the same time, traffic would back up around the roundabout. The parking lot at St. Boniface Episcopal Church opens its lot for parking, and people walk to and from the church to the beach, he said.

SKA asked if the crosswalks could be lighted and activated by pedestrians like other crosswalks located on Siesta Key. Robin Stublen, spokesman, said the option could be considered during the design phase.

The group also had safety concerns with the other option, signalizing right turns. Because the rendering showed crosswalks only on one side of Beach Road and the east branch of Midnight Pass, SKA was concerned people would jaywalk through the intersection and get hit.

According to FDOT’s pros and cons list, the roundabout would provide 12 more benefits than each of the other two options. Roundabouts naturally calm traffic because the maximum speed a vehicle can navigate one of the proposed size is about 25 miles an hour, said L.K. Nandam, FDOT’s traffic operations engineer.

FDOT also said roundabouts are one of the most sustainable traffic systems because they don’t need signals or frequent repairs. Unlike a signalized stop, the roundabout can continue working during a power outage.

However, the roundabout option comes with a higher price tag. According to FDOT estimates, a roundabout would cost about $1.41 million to build and an additional $592,438 to landscape. The signalized right turn option would cost $403,173.

FDOT is still working on project development and an environmental study for the intersection. The project design for either the roundabout or traffic signal option will be completed this year, and construction would begin in 2016. FDOT will hold another public workshop on the project Thursday, March 10.

“We still have some questions,” Shay said.

Correction: This story was changed at 4 p.m. Feb. 12 to reflect FDOT spokesman Robin Stublen's correct title.

ROUNDABOUT REDUX
Why does this intersection need to be changed?
There have been 11 accidents at the intersection in the last five years, although no fatalities.

Will there be bike lanes with the roundabout?
Bicyclists can either act as a vehicle in the roundabout or get onto the sidewalks and use the crosswalks.

How will pedestrians get around the roundabout?
There will be three crosswalks placed on the streets after the roundabouts.

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23 comments

Patty Ketchum Shaw: I live near this intersection. During season, and after the weekly drum circle at the beach, the traffic going to the south bridge crawls. It would be very difficult for anyone trying to enter from Midnight Pass to break into the line of cars to head south. I’m a huge proponent of roundabouts — but not in this case.

Andy Dorr: Needs updating. Roundabout is the way to go!

Ammi Horneman: It will take time to adjust to roundabouts. But it’s been proven that they are all around safer than stoplights in the long run.

Pat Bennison: No need to spend money on a round-a-bout that most people do not even know how to navigate. The back-up would be impossible to get off/on the key!!

Jason Vaffanculo: With all the tourists who won’t be familiar with roundabouts, and being the biggest tourist draw in the area, I think it has nightmare written all over it.