PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Residents at an assisted living facility in Dunedin are concerned about the busy traffic on Curlew Road, especially when they’re trying to cross without a crosswalk.
As the owner of Bayou Gardens Dunedin, Carrie Helm says many of the residents stay active.
“Most of my residents have been with me over five years,” Helm said. “They are still physically able to walk. They don’t drive anymore. They want to walk.”
The sidewalk on their side of Curlew Road cuts off, leaving the residents to cross the road to the sidewalk on the other side. However, there’s no crosswalk there.
“For the most part, our residents want to cross over, right there. And then go down to the shopping center. They like to get their nails done, they like to get their hair cut down there, they go to Publix,” Helm said.
Helm’s other concern is the increase in traffic on Curlew Road, especially on busy beach days as drivers head to Honeymoon Island.There is no turn lane into the facility, which can lead to other drivers using the shoulder to get around stopped traffic.
“People get frustrated. And they go around the car really fast. So anybody turning left into here usually gets honked at, and people zoom by,” Helm said.
Curlew Road is a state road that is managed by the Florida Department of Transportation. FDOT officials said they are now going evaluate the crossing on Curlew Road and collect traffic data there, which is expected to be done over the next two to three weeks.
Helm hopes they consider making changes.
“I just am worried about an accident happening. I have residents that are so mobile. And they’re independent. And they go across the street often and I just don’t want them to continue to have to do that without having a crosswalk,” Helm said.
Tim Wronka
Source link