SKA questions roundabout, signal intersection changes

After seeing a presentation from FDOT about two possible changes to the Beach Road, Midnight Pass Road intersection, Siesta Key Association members still had questions.

The three options—do nothing, signalize the right turn lanes, or build a roundabout—presented by Bill Hartmann, FDOT representative, for the intersection have remained unchanged since the Nov. 6 SKA meeting, at which he presented the same. However, yesterday’s presentation came with more data and renderings of the two construction options.

The right turn signal would still have some possible safety concerns for pedestrians, but drivers would be forced to stop, which, according to FDOT's presentation, is more safe than the current intersection where drivers have a continuous right turn. The single-lane roundabout option reduced the number of “conflict points” or areas where accidents are most likely to happen, and reduces the overall delay of movement, according to a traffic study.

FDOT said there had been 11 accidents, although no pedestrian fatalities, at the intersection.

FDOT said there would be a public workshop in March. The project design for either option would be completed this year and construction would not begin until 2016. The choice for the intersection has not been finalized. 

SKA members were most concerned with pedestrian safety. The crosswalks shown on the renderings were a little too close to the traffic in the roundabout for comfort.

Michael Shay, president of SKA, was concerned that if a large group of people crossed at the same time, traffic would get backed up around the circle. The parking lot at St. Boniface Episcopal Church gets a lot of overflow beach parking, and people walk to and from the church to the beach.

Catherine Zimmerman spoke in favor of a roundabout, saying that it would work with the right education, and people would get used to it. They should be worrying more about drunk drivers, she said.

“We still have some questions,” Shay said.