ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If you’ve driven on 4th Street North in St. Petersburg, you’ve likely seen the construction, lane closures and possibly some close calls.
Drivers and residents who live in the area say a recent construction project underway by the Florida Department of Transportation is partly to blame. The median improvement project began in April 2023. FDOT says the work is meant to improve traffic flow and safety.
Nearby residents, like Robin Phillips, tell 10 Tampa Bay the work so far is not having the impact hoped for.
“I think it keeps you from turning where you need to go and you have to go way out of your way,” Phillips said.
She and others say the $7 million project between the four-mile stretch of 30th Avenue North to 94th Avenue limits access traffic lights for some residents.
Dillon Tito recently moved to the Tampa Bay area from Los Angeles, another city known for its traffic hassles.
“I see a lot of crashes and incidents,” Tito said. “I think just not having the ability to get over if there is an incident. It can get down to one lane.”
Other residents we spoke to are sounding their concerns on online message boards.
The Nextdoor app shows similar complaints on the new median changes from users in the area. The complaints say they’re not evenly spaced, don't provide enough turning capabilities and that there is not enough proper signage in the area showing which way to turn.
The improvement project is meant to improve traffic by lengthening left turn lanes and building more mobility options for pedestrians, including new crosswalks and pedestrian signals.
FDOT says the changes were needed after a traffic study found a total of 1,501 crashes, with nine deaths, between 2014 and 2018 within the four-mile segment.
Phillips says she finds people adhering to the new U-turn options are the ones causing close calls.
“People pulling out in front of you, trying to get to where they’re going because traffic is crazy. Crazy drivers,” she explained.
FDOT says permanent signage will be installed. Currently, there are only painted pavement markings on the asphalt indicating turning direction.
“Studies performed indicate right-turn plus U-turn maneuvers result in a lower crash rate than direct left turns. Making a left turn exposes you to more conflict points. The U-turn minimizes this exposure and the potential for a crash,” the agency said in a statement.
The Median Improvement Project is expected to be completed in summer 2024.