Town, residents want more crosswalks

The Florida Department of Transportation didn’t deem crosswalks necessary on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Broadway and General Harris Street necessary. But that hasn’t stopped residents and town officials from wanting something to protect pedestrians in those areas.

In an April 16 email to Mayor Jack Duncan, Sleepy Lagoon resident Rosemary Dilgard pleaded for the town to urge FDOT to reconsider a crosswalk location on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Wake Island Road.

Dilgard noted the location is where 30 public beach access parking spots sit. The spot also has a trolley stop and a school bus stop for area children.

“This is the spot where many residents of Sleepy Lagoon, Hideaway Bay, Laguna, to mention a few areas, cross GMD in order to walk or sit on the beach as well,” Dilgard said. “It would be very foolish to wait for an accident or a fatality to happen. However that seems to be one of the criteria for FDOT. Please help us get a crosswalk.”

Duncan responded in an April 16 email, explaining the town will work to convince FDOT a crosswalk is needed in that area.

Duncan and his wife, Debbie, were former north end residents on Marbury Lane and Duncan is convinced Dilgard’s request is valid.

“I feel very strongly about additional crosswalks at the intersections of GMD and Sleepy Lagoon (at General Harris); GMD and the Village (at Broadway); GMD and Country Club Shores; and GMD in front of the former Hilton Hotel,” Duncan wrote. “Rest assured the Town Commission recognizes this as a health, safety and well being issue as it relates to our fellow citizens and will continue to work hard to make these additional crosswalks a reality. 

Four crosswalks will be built at the end of the year on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Companion Way and near Banyan Bay Club to accommodate pedestrian crossings north and south of The Centre Shops. The other two crosswalks are planned for a beach access near the Diplomat Condominium Beach Resort just north of Bay Isles Road and at Longboat Club Road.

The town is also working with FDOT to see if roundabouts are feasible on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Broadway and Longboat Club Road to protect pedestrians in those areas.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].