Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/285258
Siesta Seen FDOT has taken a lot of heat over the past month from drivers who have had to endure very long waits on the Stickney Point bridge because of the department's decision to erect a "No Turn on Red" sign where drivers used to be able to turn right on red if they were head- ing northbound onto Midnight Pass Road. FDOT made the change in response to pro- tests from pedestrians who reported feeling endangered when using the crosswalk at the intersection. A couple of weeks ago, Lauren Hatchell, a public information offi- cer for the department, told me engineers had taken another look at the situation because of the traffic tie-ups — many times leading to back-ups on U.S. 41. As a result, the department adjusted signal timing to try to ameliorate the situation. The blankout sign will be the most significant step in the pro- cess, however, she pointed out. The sign will flash a "No Turn on Red" warning if a pedestrian preparing to use the cross- walk pushes a button to activate the sign, Hatchell explained. On March 26, Harriott wrote Robinson that county staff had agreed with FDOT, that, "in order to expedite the installation … FDOT would buy the equipment [for the sign] and the County crews would do the installation. All sorts of activities are part of the Drum Circle on Sunday evenings on Siesta Public Beach. Contributed photo by Peter van Roekens Sarasota News Leader March 28, 2014 Page 101