Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/108313
NEW CROSSING CONUNDRUMS Siesta Key business owners say pedestrians are not watching for traffic before entering new crosswalks on Midnight Pass Road. At the same time, some vehicles are stopping because of the 'Stop here' signs (far right), even when no one is in a crosswalk. File photo CROSSWALKS ON BEACH ROAD AND MIDNIGHT PASS ROAD POSING DIFFERENT SETS OF PROBLEMS FOR DRIVERS ON SIESTA KEY By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor With Sarasota County expecting bids on Feb. 13 for the illumination of seven crosswalks in Siesta Village, two new crosswalk issues arose during the Feb. 5 general meeting of the Siesta Key Village Association. Drivers become so inured to the situation on Beach Road, he indicated, that the lights are ignored. "It looks like somebody's coming, always crossing," he said, "and, obviously, that's a Peter van Roekens, vice president of the Si- dangerous thing." esta Key Association and a Terrace East representative to the SKVA meetings, raised the When he checked with Ryan Montague in the new matter this week: The four pedestrian county's Traffic/Mobility Office — the same crossing caution signs near the main entrance person involved with the bollards initiative for to Siesta Public Beach "are constantly blink- the Village crosswalks — van Roekens said, Montague reported, "It's a matter of programing," van Roekens said. ming the signs." (Van Roekens is also the person who broached the need for Village crosswalk lighting in Jan- The lights could be adjusted to come on only when someone pushes the button on the sign uary 2012.)