Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 19 require a Commission discussion as well, but review the project was proposed for the work the background material will be an important program. If the work program is adopted, the start," she wrote. FDOT process will start with additional analysis and some conceptual designs to prepare Because of the holidays, Harriott informed Robinson on Jan. 2 that it was taking a while for additional public meetings and discussion to get a response from the state agency. On specific to the project." Jan. 9, he finally had more details for her. On Jan. 8, Harriott wrote Robinson in an email, he spoke with L.K. Nandam, FDOT District 1 traffic operations manager, whose office is in Sarasota. "[Nandam] indicated the proposed roundabout identified in the DRAFT work program is a safety project …" Harriott continued, "During the public meetings held with the community to discuss the crosswalks on Midnight Pass Road, several residents indicated problems and difficulties with crossing Midnight Pass Road at the Beach Road intersection. FDOT reviewed the intersection and determined that a roundabout at the intersection may improve traffic flow and pedestrian crossing conditions. Based on that Harriott was referring to a public session held in December 2011 and subsequent surveys sent out by FDOT regarding complaints primarily from condominium residents about the difficulty of crossing Midnight Pass Road during the height of season because of the heavy traffic flow. As a result, FDOT constructed six new crosswalks along Midnight Pass Road — between Beach and Stickney Point roads — in the fall of 2012 at a cost of approximately $198,000. During the 2013 season, the new crosswalks won praise from visitors and residents; nonetheless, a few residents remarked to the News Leader that traffic tended to back up on the road when crossings were especially frequent. A segment of the Florida Department of Transportation Tentative Work Program Report for July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2019 provides details about funding for the roundabout proposed on Siesta Key. Image courtesy FDOT