Crosswalk construction slated for November

Construction of four crosswalks on Gulf of Mexico Drive to improve pedestrian traffic will begin in early November and be completed before the Christmas holiday.

Town Manager Dave Bullock informed the Longboat Key Town Commission in an Oct. 16 email of the construction timeline. Florida Department of Transportation District 1 Construction Project Administrator John Freeman confirmed the construction timeline for Public Works Director Juan Florensa Oct. 16.

On the north end of the island, two crosswalks will be built on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Companion Way and near Banyan Club to accommodate pedestrians north and south of the Centre Shops.

On the south end of the island, crosswalks will be built near the Diplomat Condominium Beach Resort just north of Bay Isles Road and at the Country Club Shores beach access just north of Longboat Club Road’s private en.

A January 2012 pedestrian fatality prompted discussions and eventually approval by FDOT for the crosswalks.

The crosswalks will be painted onto the asphalt and have small islands in the center for pedestrian refuge. The crosswalks will also have push buttons for pedestrians to activate rectangular flashing lights to let motorists know when pedestrians are crossing the road.

Lane closures are not expected and minimal traffic impacts during construction are expected.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].