Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drew Street Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
FDOT updates Forward Pinellas on Drew Street safety plan; designs include protected bike lanes, mid‑block crossings and drainage work
Summary
FDOT presented design updates for the Drew Street safety project, describing protected bicycle facilities near the Pinellas Trail, turn lanes where right‑of‑way permits, three funded mid‑block crossings to be sited with local input, and drainage/resiliency improvements along the 4.7‑mile corridor.
FDOT staff presented an informational update on the Drew Street safety improvement project, a 4.7‑mile corridor extending from Osceola Avenue to U.S. 19. Project engineers described proposed cross‑section changes, targeted safety interventions and next steps in design.
Kevin Lee, FDOT project manager, and the project’s engineer of record reviewed segment‑by‑segment concepts. Between Osceola Avenue and Myrtle Avenue FDOT showed a concept converting an existing four‑lane undivided section to a divided, two‑lane each direction cross‑section with a protected bicycle facility on the north side where the Pinellas Trail intersects the corridor. FDOT said the protected bike facility responds to the adjacent trail crossing and expected bicycle volumes. At signalized intersections staff proposed retroreflective backplates, leading‑pedestrian intervals, lighting evaluations and improved ADA ramps and crosswalks.
In mid‑corridor segments FDOT proposes constructing turn lanes where right‑of‑way allows (for example between Missouri and Betty lanes) and converting some segments from undivided four lanes to divided sections with two‑way left‑turn lanes or raised medians in places. The plan includes drainage and resiliency work in low‑lying sections and suggested median islands to reduce misuse of long two‑way left‑turn lanes. FDOT said it has budget for three mid‑block controlled pedestrian crossings to be sited with local stakeholder input.
Board members raised concerns about narrow sidewalks, utility poles in sidewalks, and inconsistent speed limits along the corridor. FDOT said segments where right‑of‑way is tight will require further coordination with cities and utilities and that speed management recommendations and specific mid‑block crossing locations will be developed as design advances to 60% and beyond. FDOT thanked the City of Clearwater for additional local funding that helped advance the project’s scope.
FDOT and local partners said no action was required from Forward Pinellas at this meeting; staff will return with more detailed designs and 60% submittals for further review.
