Largo staff, consultants outline multimodal options for Clearwater–Largo Road to protect students walking to Mildred Helms Elementary

City of Largo officials and consultants on Tuesday presented the results of a multi‑year technical review and public outreach process for Clearwater–Largo Road, proposing changes intended to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety near Mildred Helms Elementary.

The presentation, led by Jared Schneider of Kimley Horn and summarized by city staff, said three scenarios were evaluated: (A) minor improvements and enhanced landscaping with a mid‑block crossing; (B) adding on‑street bicycle lanes and a buffer; and (C) repurposing a travel lane to create a wider sidewalk/shared‑use path with landscaping buffers. Schneider said the wider sidewalk option, scenario C, emerged as the recommended alternative after engagement: “Nearly 70% of the survey responses keyed in on that scenario C, that wider sidewalk,” he said.

Why it matters: the study area is a six‑lane stretch of Clearwater–Largo Road with a posted speed limit of 35 mph and an 80th‑percentile speed measured around 44–45 mph. Staff and consultants flagged the proximity of the curbside…