FDOT signs off on GMD sign removal

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has agreed to remove 68 sign posts and 49 signs from the Gulf of Mexico Drive right of way.

FDOT Assistant District Traffic Operations Engineer Keith Slater told the Longboat Key Town Commission at its Thursday, May 26 regular workshop that his department has signed off on a plan that includes removing:

• Seventeen sign posts with two bike-lane signs placed on each of them (there are 62 sign posts now);
• Twenty-six no-parking signs (there are 32 signs now);
• Twenty-five right-turn yield to bike signs (there are 35 signs now).
FDOT will also add two speed-limit signs at the request of Police Chief Al Hogle and remove two hidden driveway signs deemed unnecessary.
After FDOT removes the signs, which is expected to be complete by September, there will be:
• Forty-five sign posts that have two bike signs on each;
• Six no-parking signs;
• Nine right-turn yield to bicycle signs.
The signs will be placed approximately a mile-and-a-half apart.
FDOT agreed to work with the town on its signage after Planning and Zoning Board member Walter Hackett questioned in May 2009 the number of signs along Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Hackett, who presented a signage study to the commission, has counted 405 signs along a 9.7-mile stretch of Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Commissioner Jack Duncan expressed concern that the new Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian sanctuary being constructed on Gulf of Mexico Drive at General Harris Street could create parking issues along the state road on Sunday mornings.

“I’m concerned about parking overflow on Sundays,” Duncan said.

Slater told the commission FDOT would install additional no-parking signs near the church at the town’s request, if needed.

Hogle has also promised to monitor the right of way in that area once church services begin, to make sure people aren’t parking along the road for church services.

SIGN REMOVAL
The Florida Department of Transportation has agreed to remove the following number of signs:

Two bike lane signs on a post
Current    62
Proposed    45
Reduction    17

Right-turn yield to bike signs
Current    34    Proposed    9    Reduction    25

No-parking signs
Current    32    Proposed    6    Reduction    26

Total number of sign posts removed    68

Total number of sign faces removed    49

* Information courtesy of Florida
Department of Transportation
 

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].