Put it back the way it was!!!

Although the stop sign appears to have been moved to the right of the bike lane, it does not resolve the issue of cyclists using the striped former turn lane for turning southbound from the right (south) side of the sign (without stopping). Southbound vehicles who cannot see the turning cyclists because of a stopped eastbound vehicle has to stop mid intersection for cyclists who may suddenly appear and make a wide, non-stopping turn not entering the southbound bike lane.

If this turn lane is to be disabled, a physical barrier, berm, posts, etc. needs to be put in place so all vehicles turn southbound from a proper position (cyclists need to turn from the bike lane on the north side of the stop sign).

Conversly:

Since the law is motorists and cyclists share the road, and cyclists have the right to occupy a vehicle lane, why (in the case of the right hand turn lane) cannot the turn lane be a shared space as it was prior? (Except Paint it green with correct dash lines and signage) As it appears with current law, it doesn't matter if there is a bike "lane" or not (single striped edge division), the bike still has the right to occupy either the bike lane or the road. In addition to keeping the efficiency of the intersection, it would make it safer for all involved.

Thank you for reporting this issue to us via SeeClickFix St. Pete. We have forwarded the details you have provided to the Neighborhood Transportation Department so that they may investigate and take any necessary action. We appreciate your help! Sincerely, Mayor's Action Center

Thank you for expressing your concerns to the City about the modifications that were recently introduced at this intersection. The revised pavement markings and change in traffic control were necessary to bring the intersection into compliance with design standards that increase safety for all road users. Previously, the bike lane was striped to the right of the turn lane which was improper and contrary to current best practices for intersection safety. To address this safety deficiency, it was necessary to continue the bike lane straight to the intersection to allow through and left-turning bicyclists to position themselves in the safest location to make those movements. Doing so would not allow for the substandard right-turn slip lane to remain; there simply isn't enough width between the existing curbs to permit that free-flow movement.

While we do understand that this introduces some delay to eastbound motorists at this intersection, the modifications were necessary to bring the intersection up to current design standards. We note that the stop sign was relocated and positioned to the right of the bicycle lane, it should have been repositioned in the gore area, thus eliminating the option for use by the cyclists. We have therefore requested that this relocation take place immediately. We expect that movements at the intersection should normalize and function similar to those across the City with the same design. As is our general practice however, we will continue to monitor this intersection and will make any necessary adjustments for road-user safety should conditions warrant intervention.

Thanks for your patience and support for traffic safety in St. Petersburg.

Thank you for you reply.

I'm not sure how this is closed yet. It is safer having the stop sign not installed on the stripe of the bike lane. Moving it further south is better placement. However, it will not "eliminate the the option" for cyclists to turn because it is not a physical barrier. (Such as the yellow plastic traffic deliniator poste) Cyclists and scooters simply can the remaining space between the sign and the curb (about the width of a bike lane) to make the unsafe turn. Nonetheless the sign has not moved yet.

Additionally, the striping of the bike lane is still incorrect, if we are now using current standards, as there is no dashed termination of the line between the bike lane and the vehicle lan as it approaches the stop. The dashes indicate the proper course is for vehicles to merge into the bike lane when turning, not a "hard right" turn.

How is this right turn cutout classed as a gore when there is no vehicle traffic lane on the other side of it?

I am sure there are more examples, but the closest one would be Pinellas Point Drive westbound, right hand turn to 31st street south. That right hand turn lane is the same width, but was not eliminated, and a full width bike lane was not added, when restriped recently to meet new standards.

The reopening has been acknowledged. Thank you for your input while we continue to monitor this area and make any safety improvements necessary.

As an update, please refer,to SPPD accident reports to see the number of (reported) incidents at this intersection since the reconfiguration. From driving this intersection mulriple times daily, it appears that there have been more incidents over the last 6 monthes than the number over the last two years. For a safer and more efficient eastbound flow of this intersection, it needs to be returned to a -shared- bike and vehicle lanes, with a straight stop, -and- right turn yield (or stop) lane.

There are turn lanes thru bike lanes all over the city. I have lived in Pinellas point for 32 years. I do not believe there was ever an incident between a bike and a car at this inte
rsection. Traffic now backs up now that the turn lane is gone. I would like the turn lane to be reinstated.

The City of St Petersburg periodically reviews past reports that are made from citizens within our city limits, and in an effort to clean-up old issues that were resolved some time ago, we are marking as 'closed' those issues that were submitted in the past for which the work has been completed or the issue has otherwise been resolved.

If you think for any reason that the issue you submitted in the past might still be unresolved, please feel free to submit a new report with the SeeClickFix St. Pete website and we will make sure the issue is directed to the appropriate City department to be addressed as soon as possible.

Thank you - MAC