Dear LSPOA members:
Over the spring and summer I have been meeting with the
other Lido Key HOA Presidents and the City of Sarasota to explore mechanisms to
improve traffic flow off Lido in season, protect pedestrians and cyclists all
without worsening traffic congestion in the city core.
Solving these problems such that we do not sacrifice the
quality of life in our city core, may yet prove to be impossible, but hopefully
we can come to some compromises. I
would hate to see the city core sacrificed to high speed overpasses and
expressways, destroying the “ambience” we now enjoy.
FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) did a survey last season and found that on occasion the
travel time from St. Armand’s to US- 41 and Fruitville took up to two-hours. I assume that is no surprise to those
of us who live here full time.
Some facts:
1. Mote Marine will be eventually move it's aquarium across the bay as part of its long-term planning, leaving Lido and taking
300,000 annual visitors with it.
That will help.
2. The contract for the US-41/ Gulfstream roundabout will not
be let until 2019, with completion of the roundabout[s] slated for 2020. Much can happen in the interim.
3. We all wish to encourage pedestrian traffic along the
waterfront and with the opening of the Westin and the Vue, we can anticipate an
increased number of pedestrians in the city core. Our waterfront is a civic treasure and must remain open and
accessible to residents and visitors.
4. Sarasota/Bradenton/North Port is the 10th most
dangerous city in the US for pedestrians, and the elderly pedestrian is most at
risk. Of the most dangerous 11- cities in the US for pedestrians, 9 are in Florida.
Unfortunately pedestrians who violate traffic control
devices are rarely prosecuted and therefore this behavior is reinforced. [By the survivors]. Those greater than 70-years of age account for 17% of all
pedestrian fatalities. Having spent more than three decades of my professional life
as a trauma/spine surgeon in level one trauma units I am tired of trying to put
Humpty Dumpty together again. I
believe the best approach is to keep cars, bicycles and pedestrians somehow separated
from each other.
5. For those of you in residence this summer, you will have
noted that the median on US-41 (north of Gulfstream) has been significantly
narrowed by FDOT. FDOT also wishes
to put a crosswalk, with or without a pedestrian control device, across 41 at
First Avenue and Ritz Carlton drive.
6. FDOT has suggested that the right lane, the most
southerly of three inbound lanes on Gulfstream at US-41, be both a straight ahead
lane and a left turn lane.
To accomplish this, there will be three northbound lanes on US-41, with a
new right turn only lane at Fruitville, that right turn slip has already been
completed.
7. The City of Sarasota has recommended that we approach the
problem in a step wise fashion.
Keeping in mind that whatever we do may only be temporary until 2020, when
there may, or may not be, roundabouts at US-41/ Gulfstream, and Fruitville at 41.
8. At present we have recommended that the City first proceed
with installing a walkway, ideally pedestrian controlled across US-41 at the Ritz
Carlton/ First Avenue intersection.
9. This should be followed by the addition of the
left/straight ahead lane on eastbound Gulfstream at US-41 combined with three
northbound lanes on #41 ending at Fruitville Road. The right turn slip lane has already been built at US-41 and
Fruitville and just needs connecting to a right turn only lane on northbound 41.
10. Ultimately this will be temporary until the roundabouts
are constructed, in 2020, or thereabouts.
11. If these reasonably inexpensive ideas work, maybe the
roundabouts may be unnecessary, or possibly modifiable, or God knows what might
happen in the next three years.
I
am interested in your thoughts, comments etc.
Please
email me at Lifeso1@aol.com
Enjoy the rest of your summer and see you in the fall.
Bob Lifeso
LSPOA President
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