Bike and Pedestrian Safety Proposed For Waters Avenue

Between January and July 2012, a total of 16 pedestrians and bicyclist were killed in Hillsborough County. The alarming numbers prompted the The Florida Department of Transportation to launch an awareness campaign centered on pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Now Hillsborough County wants to do more.

The county has pledged $8.5 million toward nine projects that they hope will increase safety for those traveling the streets. The projects are slated for several areas in the county including the Forest Hills and University areas. This week, county officials began hosting public meetings in those community's to collect community input.

The next meeting will go over plans slated for the Hanley Road and Waters Avenue area. The meeting will be Wednesday, April 3 at 6:30p.m. at Jackson Springs Park, 8620 Jackson Springs Park Road.

At this meeting, the following proposed improvements will be discussed, according to a county media release:

• Hanley Road between Hillsborough Avenue and Waters Avenue — raised median and street lighting additions, intersection improvements, and lane restriping.
• Waters Avenue between Sheldon Road and Florida Avenue — lane restriping to add a bicycle lane, street lighting and sidewalk ramp additions, and minor intersection improvements.

The public input from the meetings will be considered before a final plan is implemented, said Steve Valdez, county public works spokesperson.

"Livability, business access, residential access and things like that," will be taken into account, Valdez said. "We want to get to an agreement that gives us a safer roadway and a livable plan for those businesses and citizens in the area."

Construction is set to begin on the projects in mid to late 2013.