Pinellas Commission OKs 2 Road Projects To Increase Safety

PINELLAS PARK, FL — In separate action Tuesday, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners gave the go-ahead on two projects that will bring significant transportation and traffic management improvements to the county.

The board approved a contractor's bid to begin work this spring on the long-awaited 62nd Avenue North and 58th Street North sidewalk and intersection improvement project in Pinellas Park.

Both two-lane roads have a long history of accidents including fatal accidents involving pedestrians attempting to cross the roads.

Improvements will include the construction of ADA-compliant sidewalks, curb ramps and driveways on the south side of 62nd Avenue North from 62nd Street to east of 58th Street.

Intersection upgrades at 62nd Avenue North and 58th Street will consist of widened travel lanes, exclusive left-turn lanes on all four legs, new paved shoulders and designated bike lanes, an upgraded drainage system, traffic mast arms, pedestrian signals, crosswalks and sidewalk ramps.

The sidewalk and intersection upgrades are intended to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

The board also approved a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for the construction of an Advanced Traffic Management System/Intelligent Transportation System on 49th Street North from 46th Avenue North to Gulf to Bay Boulevard, including the Bayside Bridge.

The project will enhance the flow of traffic through video detection and adaptive traffic signal control, provide surveillance of traffic conditions and aid motorists with information on alerts, incidents and evacuations.

This is the latest step in the county's commitment to use advanced technology to create a more efficient travel network.

The 62nd Avenue North project is being funded by Penny for Pinellas, while the ATM/ITS project includes Penny funding.

In other action Tuesday, the board:

• Approved a notice of award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration for continued funding for the county’s Health Care for the Homeless program.

• Approved a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the conversion of septic tanks to sanitary sewer collection system in the Lofty Pines area of unincorporated Dunedin.