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Medians On Tap For U.S. 301

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By TOM BRENNAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2007

RIVERVIEW - State transportation officials said they can reduce the number of crashes on U.S. 301 between Pine Avenue and Lake St. Charles Boulevard.

The trick, they said, is adding medians.

"It will let the traffic flow more efficiently and reduce crashes by 25 percent," said Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kris Carson.

The medians are part of a plan to refurbish U.S. 301 from Bloomingdale Avenue south to Gibsonton Drive.

State officials will show off their proposal at a public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Winthrop Pole Barn, 11349 Bloomingdale Ave.

"We want to see if anyone has any suggestions or concerns," Carson said.

Raised medians often are flashpoints with merchants, who oppose restrictions on traffic into and out of their parking lots.

Carson said people may encourage the state to tweak its plans.

"There can't be a lot of major changes made," she said. "But in terms of the medians, we can review those."

Individuals or business owners with complaints may appeal to a board within the state transportation agency.

State officials plan to add bicycle lanes and make it safer for pedestrians and people with disabilities.

The transportation department also plans to resurface the road; replace electronic strips in the pavement that detect cars and trigger traffic lights; repaint pavement markings; and replace traffic signals.

Carson said the road improvements are a precursor to the widening of U.S. 301 south of Gibsonton Drive.

The state has set aside $200,000 for design and $7 million for improvements from Bloomingdale to Gibsonton.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Informational meeting on improvements to U.S. 301 between Bloomingdale Avenue and Gibsonton Drive

WHEN: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: The Winthrop Pole Barn, 11349 Bloomingdale Ave., Riverview
CONTACT: Mary Lou Godfrey or John Escobio, (813) 975-6000

Reporter Tom Brennan can be reached at (813) 657-4528 or tbrennan@tampatrib.com.

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