Two pedestrian hybrid beacons are now operational on Longboat Key

By Carter Weinhofer
| 4:30 p.m. April 2, 2024

The new pedestrian hybrid beacon near Bayfront Park.

Longboat Key
News

The first pedestrian hybrid beacons are now up on Longboat Key.

Two of the hybrid beacons are on the island, one at Bayfront Park over to the beach access and another near Country Club Shores.

The pedestrian hybrid beacons are crosswalks with masts that extend over the roadway. Pedestrians press a button that causes the signals on the mast to flash yellow before turning red, telling cars to stop.

Director of Public Works Isaac Brownman said as of April 1 the beacons were operational after crews worked out a few minor issues. Brownman also said there are talks of a small “celebration” in the works to commemorate the crosswalks.

author

Carter Weinhofer

Carter Weinhofer is the Longboat Key news reporter for the Observer. Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, he moved to St. Petersburg to attend Eckerd College until graduating in 2023. During his entire undergraduate career, he worked at the student newspaper, The Current, holding positions from science reporter to editor-in-chief.