FDOT puts Country Club Shores crosswalk on the map

Country Club Shores is receiving a Florida Department of Transportation designated crosswalk after all.

A list of crosswalk designations presented to the Longboat Key Town Commission at its April 6 regular meeting didn’t list a crosswalk at the Country Club Shores beach access location, but town staff said the omission was an error. 

Commissioner Lynn Larson, a Country Club Shores resident who pushed for a crosswalk near her community, brought the error to the attention of town staff.

The Country Club Shores crosswalk will sit just north of the gated access portion of Longboat Club Road. 

“FDOT didn’t recommend one there at first but they took a second look and said one is warranted.”

— Town Manager Dave Bullock 

“FDOT didn’t recommend one there at first but they took a second look and said one is warranted,” Town Manager Dave Bullock said. 

Two other crosswalks will be built on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Companion Way and near Banyan Bay Club to accommodate pedestrian crossings north and south of the Centre Shops. Another crosswalk is planned near the Diplomat Condominium Beach Resort just north of Bay Isles Road. 

Public Works Director Juan Florensa said construction of the crosswalks, originally planned for the end of the year, will now begin in the first quarter of 2016. 

The town is also working with FDOT to determine whether  the agency could approve roundabouts on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Broadway and the southern entrance of Longboat Club Road to protect pedestrians in those areas. 

Commissioners and residents also seek additional crosswalk locations on Gulf of Mexico Drive in the future at General Harris Street near a popular Sleepy Lagoon beach access and in front of the former Hilton hotel. FDOT determined that those locations do not need pedestrian crosswalks.