Left turn from Roosevelt Ave to Randall St being eliminated

[Josh]

I had first heard about this a few years ago, and it looks like FDOT is finally going through with the plan to close the median on Roosevelt Ave at Randall St to prevent left turns across traffic. There is currently a sign up in the median mentioning the median is closed, and there are traffic barrels in the turn lane now.

The webpage for the project dating back to 2020.
https://nflroads.com/ProjectDetails?p=5342

Despite having been a daily user of this turn, I'm glad to see it go. There have been fatalities at the turn (not to mention numerous fatalities in that immediate and extended part of US17 altogether), and collisions in the morning rush hour are a weekly occurrence. Unfortunately too many drivers don't know when they've got themselves into a shitty situation and should just continue south on 17 instead of trying to cross 3 lanes of traffic where the first two lanes are at a standstill, and cars are flying by in the third lane.

The webpage also mentions closing Randall St altogether by turning it into a cul-de-sac. I had heard that previously as well. Turning right onto Roosevelt isn't much safer given how frequently cars fly through that bend at 60+ mph.

[Charles Hunter]

The project appears to make sense. It should cut down on non-neighborhood traffic using Randall to get to/from the Roosevelt Xway.

[fieldafm]

I had first heard about this a few years ago, and it looks like FDOT is finally going through with the plan to close the median on Roosevelt Ave at Randall St to prevent left turns across traffic. There is currently a sign up in the median mentioning the median is closed, and there are traffic barrels in the turn lane now.

The webpage for the project dating back to 2020.
https://nflroads.com/ProjectDetails?p=5342

Despite having been a daily user of this turn, I'm glad to see it go. There have been fatalities at the turn (not to mention numerous fatalities in that immediate and extended part of US17 altogether), and collisions in the morning rush hour are a weekly occurrence. Unfortunately too many drivers don't know when they've got themselves into a shitty situation and should just continue south on 17 instead of trying to cross 3 lanes of traffic where the first two lanes are at a standstill, and cars are flying by in the third lane.

The webpage also mentions closing Randall St altogether by turning it into a cul-de-sac. I had heard that previously as well. Turning right onto Roosevelt isn't much safer given how frequently cars fly through that bend at 60+ mph.

My mother was hit by a drunk driver in this area back in 1993.  Before US17 became a divided highway in the 1970's with the I-10 flyover exit added.... US17 ran parallel with the train tracks (the roadway that still exists today behind Island Bar).  The entire area is dangerous by design, and its long past due for FDOT to correct those generational mistakes from 50+ years ago.

[jaxlongtimer]

Based on what I have seen in other larger cities, as traffic builds, more and more non-lighted left turn median cuts will be going away.  I would suggest many like this are long overdue here all over town.  But, as they are removed, the turn lights need to be made longer.  Many are way too short encouraging drivers to run yellow-turning-red lights to not wait another several minutes for the next cycle.  The yellow arrow turn lights, especially on 6 lane roads, are another question with respect to safety.  Really counting on every driver to accurately turn and judge 3 lanes of opposing traffic speeds.

Worse, are the painted, not raised medians, as found, by example, on parts of 4 and 6 lane San Jose Blvd., University Blvd., Emerson, etc. where cars from opposing directions may seek opposing turns on the same pavement at virtually any place along the highway.  Really piss-poor traffic engineering and design.  Should be banned.

I have posted before about the lack of common sense and appreciation for actual vs. theoretical driver behavior in much of our road designs.  Costing lives everywhere.

[jaxjags]

I made that left turn for the first time ever just a couple weeks ago. After I did I wished I hadn't.