Roundabouts set for season

If Ringling Boulevard is under construction, motorists would likely head to Fruitville Road to get through downtown quickly. And if Fruitville Road is under construction, drivers are likely to use Ringling Boulevard.

So, what happens if both major downtown thoroughfares are under construction at the same time?

Motorists will find out in November, at the start of tourist season.

At the Community Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board meeting Thursday, Sept. 22, chief planner Steve Stancel reported that two Ringling Boulevard four-lane roundabouts at Palm Avenue and Pineapple Avenue will begin construction simultaneously in November. Construction for both roundabouts won’t be complete until July, and although traffic will run constantly through both intersections, delays are likely.

At the same time as the roundabout construction, Stancel reported that Fruitville Road will be repaved just north of the downtown area. That project will take two to three months to complete.

The announcements frustrated CRA board members.

“That makes a lot of sense,” said board member Mark Huey. “Of course, these projects have to be performed during season.”

Stancel, however, reiterated that traffic flow will be maintained on both roads during the construction of both projects.

U.S. 41 roundabout vetting process begins
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosted a U.S. 41 roundabout public workshop Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to review potential plans for U.S. 41 roundabouts at 10th and 14th streets.

Those roundabouts are the first phase of a bayfront-connectivity plan concept that FDOT has endorsed.
An FDOT study team is evaluating various alternatives to upgrade U.S. 41 in the downtown corridor including installing roundabouts with raised islands for pedestrians at 10th Street and 14th Street.

The project is designed to slow traffic speed, create wider avenues and medians and include more space for bicyclists and pedestrians.

No presentation was made, but the public was asked to provide feedback. FDOT has not made final recommendations for the project yet.

Other future roundabouts planned through the city’s connectivity plan call for future roundabouts at the U.S. 41 intersections of Fruitville Road, Main Street, Orange Avenue and Gulfstream Avenue.