TAMPA, Fla. — Palma Ceia neighbors used a photo to call out a detour sign that seems to direct them across a busy portion of Bay to Bay Boulevard without a crosswalk.
The photo was posted to a local social media group on Monday that highlights safety and traffic concerns along Bay to Bay Boulevard.
A county commissioner who has been highlighting safety and mobility concerns within the county commented on the photo as well.
Commissioner Kimberly Overman wrote, "yeah, that's pretty much a fail."
ABC Action News confirmed it was indeed Commissioner Overman who posted the response as she's been an advocate for safety concerns for different modes of transportation including pedestrian safety.
By Tuesday morning, the sign was taken down at Ferdinand and Bay to Bay Boulevard Tuesday because the sidewalk repairs were finished.
There was a construction contractor working down the road, at a nearby intersection with more 'detour' signs, but that one was at a crosswalk.
The crosswalks along Bay to Bay are only at intersections where there are signals, there are no independent crosswalks to get across safely.
ABC Action News has covered safety concerns along the stretch of road not far from Bayshore Boulevard.
Neighbors say the busy stretch of road is an outdated 1970s road design where sidewalks are too close to the road and sight lines at every intersection are almost non-existent.
Almost a year ago, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn squashed a "road diet" that would've narrowed lanes and added a turning lane and bike lanes.
Last month, residents fought plans to repave the road without the safety enhancements, but the project proceeded anyways without their updates.
Sidewalk Stompers and Walk Bike Tampa hope that future street projects around the city and county adhere to modern technology designs that can make streets accessible to all forms of transportation.
ABC Action News has reached out to the county about the road detour sign, who gave us the following statement:
The contractor is currently working on the ramp at the Selmon Expressway Exit at Bay to Bay. The confusing sign has been removed and was missed by the contractor when moving the MOT to the next intersection. The pedestrian traffic is to cross Bay to Bay on the west side of this intersection and cross back over at MacDill Ave, the next intersection. These signs are in place to direct pedestrian traffic. We have also discussed with the contractor and field inspector and will have more frequent MOT reviews to ensure this doesn’t occur again.
