SARASOTA (WSNN) – Out with the traffic lights and in with a roundabout.
A Sarasota year-long project is finally coming to an end. The more-than seven million dollar construction at Fruitville and U.S. 41 roundabout is open for traffic.
“It’s one of a series of roundabouts we’re constructing along U.S. 41 to make the roadway safe for pedestrians, improve connectivity between downtown and the Bayfront, and also make sure we can handle the throughput of traffic volume that uses U.S. 41,” City engineer, Alexandrea DavisShaw said.
DavisShaw says the top priority is safety.
“We want to make sure that we can get people crossing back and forth safely and also make sure that we reduce the severe crashes that can occur at signalized intersections,” DavisShaw said.
You’ll find crosswalks with hawk signals at each leg of the roundabout. A first, for a Sarasota intersection.
“So the pedestrian will activity the hawk signal and actually notify the drivers that there’s someone waiting to cross and stop them at those crosswalks,” DavisShaw said.
Sarasota Police Department Traffic Officer Jason Frank says he encourages pedestrians to use this new feature.
“They don’t need to step out into traffic just because they think it’s clear,” Officer Frank said. “It’s not the car that you can’t see, it’s the car that doesn’t see you.”
According to the City of Sarasota, the roundabout is expected to improve traffic flow by 30 to 50-percent.
“Statistics show that the number of crashes goes down when a roundabout is in place of an intersection,” Officer Frank said. “The theory behind the roundabout is its constant movement.”
DavisShaw encourages you to be patient with other drivers as people get comfortable with the roundabout and lane markings.
It’s expected to open early next week.
While the roundabout is opening soon, construction workers will still be in the area. So Officer Franks says you should remain cautious and pay attention to your surroundings.
