Changes may be coming to 49th Street South in Pinellas

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Changes may be on the way to 49th Street South to make it safer for pedestrians and drivers.

The cities of Gulfport and St. Petersburg, which 49th Street South goes through, are now considering options.

The organization Forward Pinellas recently did a “Safe Streets” study of 49th Street South funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It showed the road is part of what officials call a “high injury network,” for its many serious crashes.

“This corridor has a lot of people walking, riding their bikes, school children and vehicles traveling at very high rates of speed,” said Chelsea Favero, planning manager with Forward Pinellas. “That leads to a lot of crashes that lead to a lot of serious injuries and death.”

The study showed that lane repurposing may be a solution: converting the road from four lanes to three, with a dedicated turn lane. It also recommended wider sidewalks and new crosswalks.

Lane repurposing is also being done in other parts of Pinellas County, like on 34th Street in St. Petersburg. 

Over the summer, both the cities of Gulfport and St. Petersburg are considering making the changes suggested by Forward Pinellas. Once approved, final concepts will be designed and planning will move ahead.

T. Taylor, an employee at The Hive, a community clay studio on 49th Street South in St. Petersburg, says she’d welcome the changes in the neighborhood to improve walkability.

“People here are constantly running back and forth across the street where there is no crosswalk,” Taylor said. “I think that the changes would be more beneficial to everyone. I think it builds community.”