The South Shore News & Tribune
Email
Print
Balm Intersection Highlights Civic Association Meeting
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: September 26, 2008
BALM - Hillsborough County engineers recently paid a visit to a meeting of the Balm Civic Association to discuss what many feel is the most dangerous intersection in the area.
The confluence in question is where County Road 672, Balm-Boyette Road, Shelley Lane and Balm-Wimauma Road meet.
Michael McCarthy, traffic division director for the county's Public Works Department, attended the Sept. 22 meeting along with traffic services engineer Remy Ogunsola and Scott Friedman, who presented a road safety audit of the intersection.
"What we're showing you tonight is what we consider to be a final report and we feel pretty good about it," McCarthy said. "We're here to present our findings and get your input."
The audit's report noted a lack of signage warning of an upcoming intersection, the odd geometry of the area and the need to trim tree branches and bushes, among other problems. The audit examined the intersection, as well as a half-mile radius of road in each direction.
Recommendations from the report include monitoring the existing flashing beacon off of Balm-Wimauma Road for a two-year period, as well as adding advanced signage and implementing several improvements to each of the roads, such as shoulder striping and other safety issues.
Another suggestion was to do away with a small strip of land on the Balm-Wimauma Road portion of the intersection — one of the causes of the odd geometry — and widen the road.
Marcella O'Steen, president of the association, suggested adding a solar-powered flasher mounted on a sign along County Road 672 to alert motorists about the dangerous intersection. McCarthy said the addition of the flasher will remain on the table for a potential future deployment.
"Overall, I was impressed with the depth of their study," O'Steen said. "I felt like they really listened and seemed to take everything in."
Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.
Email
Print
TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online Member Agreement | Privacy Statement | Work With Us
