FDOT to lower speed limit near Siesta-Higel curve

The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to lower the speed limit near the intersection of Siesta Drive and Higel Avenue in the next few weeks, a response to safety concerns in the wake of a fatal collision earlier this month.

FDOT will soon lower the speed limit between approximately Anglin Drive and Ogden Street on north Siesta Key, spokesman Robin Stublen confirmed. The agency is still determining the exact speed limits, though a June 23 email from Assistant City Engineer Dan Ohrenstein says the posted speed will decrease from 40 mph to 30 mph.

The city and state are examining the safety conditions on this stretch of State Road 758. Residents have called the curve at Siesta and Higel a hotspot for collisions and speeding. This year, there have been fatal crashes near the intersection in April and June.

Ohrenstein and Stublen said officials are considering additional changes to the road beyond the lowered speed limit. Both the city and state are focused on improving the signage and markings in the area, they said.

“In general, we’d like to review a number of options that should work together,” Ohrenstein said.