Largo presents corridor study with options to narrow lanes, add buffers and improve crossings near Mildred Helms Elementary

The City of Largo and consultant Kimley‑Horn presented findings from a corridor improvement study for a half‑mile section of Clearwater‑Largo Road immediately south of West Bay Drive, near Mildred Helms Elementary School. The study offers three scenarios to address speeding, crash history and a five‑foot sidewalk immediately adjacent to the travel lane where students walk.

Study options and findings - Scenario A — incremental: targeted landscape medians and a mid‑block crossing. Lower cost; addresses a single crossing but would not provide corridor‑wide buffers. - Scenario B — repurpose one northbound and one southbound travel lane to create a four‑lane roadway with an on‑street bicycle facility, wider sidewalks and buffers. The consultant reported a reduction in fatal and incapacitating crashes of roughly 67% in model results and estimated substantial reductions in crash frequency. - Scenario C — repurpose lanes to create a four‑lane roadway with wider sidewalks and landscape medians (buffered pedestrian realm rather than on‑street bike lanes). Scenario C produced comparable modeled reductions in crashes and was the preferred concept in the project’s public survey.

Consultants emphasized the corridor is heavily used (about 17,000 vehicles per day in the section analyzed), has speeding issues and recorded crashes. The presentation noted the different character of Clearwater‑Largo Road north and south of West Bay Drive, with landscaped medians and four lanes to the north and a six‑lane “gateway” feel in the segment under study.

Board input and focus areas Board members and staff focused on two themes: safety improvements that can be implemented quickly, and ensuring any lane‑repurposing maintains intersection capacity to avoid causing congestion. Members recommended interim “quick wins” such as improved striping, re‑marked school‑zone striping, better crossings, lighting upgrades and outreach with the school and local businesses. Several board members and attendees urged designs that provide physical separation between people walking and bicycles and moving traffic rather than only paint. Commissioners also asked staff to test options with consistent intersection treatments so operations remain acceptable.

Cost and next steps The study estimated scenario costs rising from the lower end for a single median and crossing to several million dollars for corridor‑wide repurposing with sidewalks, medians, lighting and additional infrastructure. Consultants recommended phased implementation—immediate low‑cost safety actions, a midterm package of targeted improvements, and a long‑term design and funding pursuit for a full reconstruction. Forward Pinellas staff noted local governments can apply for planning and construction grants through Forward Pinellas’ call for projects and cited a construction fund program that can award up to $3 million for eligible projects.

Why it matters: The corridor passes an elementary school and board members said the corridor’s current configuration places pedestrians and children near high‑speed traffic. Improving the pedestrian realm and crossings would address documented crashes and community safety concerns while preserving vehicle operations at intersections.

Proposed immediate actions mentioned at the meeting: enhanced crosswalk markings, school‑zone striping, temporary pavement treatments or colorized pavement to draw driver attention, improved lighting, and coordination with the school PTA for outreach and short‑term safety programs.