Beachside residents will be forced to march (or rather drive) to the beat of different drums for a while – safety drums, that is. Hundreds of them currently line State Road A1A between Indialantic and Indian Harbour Beach, restricting traffic flow to one lane in each direction, causing many residents to experience delays and frustration.
According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the work is all part of an improvement project aimed at keeping pedestrians safer by installing raised, concrete, mid-block crossing points at 11 locations – and improving one that already exists – along State Road A1A between 5th Avenue in Indialantic and Eau Gallie Boulevard. When complete, each crossing point will have flashing beacons, pavement markings and lighting. The project also calls for some new sidewalks, asphalt replacement, transit stop improvements and minor drainage work.
Despite the fact that there will be “continuous lane closures” during the one-year project, FDOT promises access to businesses and residences will be maintained and one lane in each direction will always remain open.
Beachside resident Jim Schluter encourages people to be a little more understanding about these types of things.
“These projects are our tax dollars at work. Plus, the lack of crosswalks from Indialantic to IHB has been a recent bone of contention on the area social media forums. We should be thankful that the safety of our residents and guests will be enhanced by this work,” Schluter said. “We could each take a breath and apply a bit more patience and understanding. Drive a little slower. Allow a car to merge or turn in front of us, or perhaps stop so a pedestrian can cross.”
But safety concerns are an issue for Krista Brown, who said as she drove north on A1A last week, she had to place two early-morning calls for help related to the roadwork – one for a barrel that had been knocked down in a turn lane, and a second to report a car accident on A1A where traffic was backed up for miles.
“There’s going to be so many accidents on A1A, then South Patrick’s going to get so clogged, as well as all the residential streets where children play, and bicyclists and pedestrians are,” Brown said. “I also worry for children at the bus stops because I noticed the cars that were cutting through the back streets in the early morning were whizzing by them.”
Jessica Ottaviano, an FDOT staffer, said activities on this project began the first week of October with the set-up of traffic devices which include drums (also referred to as barrels) and signage.
“Their methods of construction include a conveyor style process. Within this process, they will begin at one end of the project completing each activity before moving forward to the next location, until they have worked priority activities in each area,” Ottaviano said. “This allows the next step in the process to begin at the next rotation.”
As to why it appears to some that no work is taking place in some of the quartered-off areas, she said some work activities may not be as visually apparent as others. “Also, we are reviewing the area to determine if we can adjust the spacing and positioning of the channelizing devices (drums/barrels) to allow additional openings at some side streets that will not conflict with the work zone,” Ottaviano said.
“Following any changes, we will continue to monitor the maintenance of traffic devices to ensure smooth operations of the roadway.”
All crosswalks will open after completion of the project. n
