A construction project, costing $1.6m, is slated to begin this month along U.S. 41 in Bradenton that will improve pedestrian and driver safety.
Also known as Tamiami Trail, the U.S. 41 is a six-lane highway that has a high accident rate and experiences regular congestion. The project will be funded with money from the state and the federal government, and is expected to be completed this fall.
The Florida Department of Transportation, which will be doing the work, has used printed a flyer about this project for those in the community, perhaps assisted by local flyer printing companies.
Among the improvements to be made will be updating traffic signals and installing lighting, upgrades to intersections, and adding 10 pedestrian “refuge islands” along U.S. 41. According to communications specialist Robin Stublen of the Florida Department of Transportation, the islands will help to reduce the number of incidents between pedestrians and motorists along the route.
Islands will be raised areas at an intersection where pedestrians will have a safe place to stop and be more visible to motorists. The Florida Department of Transportation has said that such islands, when properly used, can reduce motor vehicle crashes by up to 39% and pedestrian crashes by 46%.
The refuge islands will be located along the 11-foot bidirectional center turn lane in the six-line undivided highway.
