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Readers Agree: Signal Alignment Off

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By HAROLD VALENTINE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 23, 2008

CARROLLWOOD - John Harlowe's concern regarding the North Dale Mabry Highway and Fletcher Avenue intersection has garnered support from readers.
Harlowe wrote last week that westbound Fletcher's inside left-turn signal is aligned with the lane that continues westbound.

"John Harlow is absolutely correct," wrote Ed Fleck. On "more than one occasion I started rolling when that left-turn green arrow appeared."

Reader James Teske agrees.

"I've tried to get someone to shift the signal to end the confusion about which lane it controls," he wrote. "It is clear from a distance, but when you are near it and moving, it presents a serious problem."

Fleck suggested readers notify county officials. Eugene Merritt, a spokesman for Hillsborough County, said residents may call customer service at (813) 635-5400.

"What they would do is ask to have an engineer from traffic engineering take a look at the intersection," Merritt said, "and the customer service center generates a work order to an engineer."

Merritt said the engineer would contact the inquiring resident, commission a study and recommend improvements that might be needed.

Merritt said issues regarding signals, traffic studies, traffic counts, design reviews and sign designs would be handled in similar fashion if residents voice concern.
Teske said the Armenia and Fletcher avenues intersection also deserves attention. He wrote the intersection's signal is hidden from westbound drivers because of a curve on the road. He noted there is a warning sign for the signal before the curve, but suggested a flashing red light be attached to the signals at the intersection when the light is red for westbound Fletcher drivers. He wrote that warning has worked for other cities.

Last week, Nancy Leach sounded off that drivers on southbound Gunn Highway are often delayed during rush hour because the left-turn lane at Ehrlich Road is often held up by drivers trying to turn left into a shopping center. Merritt said that problem stems from road improvements under way that are scheduled to last through August.

Jim Mace called to remind drivers on eastbound Van Dyke Road turning right onto North Dale Mabry that they're supposed to come to a complete stop at the red light. Since receiving a ticket for not fully stopping at the turn on a red light, "I've noticed I'm the only one who stops there now," he said.

He said the sheriff's office told him a few years ago that a sign would be posted to remind drivers to stop.

Projects in progress include:

•In Lutz, Lutz-Lake Fern Road from Barrie Acres Trail to the Suncoast Parkway is being resurfaced through March 5.

At Lutz-Lake Fern Road and Boulevard of the Roses, a mast arm for traffic signals is being installed until June 22.

•In Lake Magdalene, work is being done on a traffic separator on Bearss Avenue between Winding Creek Drive and Florida Avenue until Friday.

•On Hutchinson Road near Northdale, Verizon is replacing telephone poles and wires between Carey and Pennington roads until March 30.

•In Town 'N Country, work on turning lanes into Woodland Center Boulevard from Waters Avenue is scheduled to last until June 6.

Woodland Center Boulevard also is getting sidewalk and driveway installations until June 6.

TRAFFIC CONCERNS?

Are there local traffic or road issues that concern you? Construction projects you wonder about, or hazards other drivers should know about? If so, contact reporter Harold Valentine at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine @tampatrib.com.

Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.

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