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Pedestrian safety changes planned for Gulf Boulevard in Indian Rocks Beach

Posted at 3:16 PM, Apr 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-21 15:16:30-04

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — Thousands of vehicles travel down Gulf Boulevard every day, along with pedestrians and bicyclists. It's a busy road and has seen its share of pedestrian-involved crashes.

"I fly the helicopter for Tampa General," Rick Vander Werf said. "I come out here all the time to pick up [crash] victims.

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According to some, the issue is not enough crosswalks which leads to people jaywalking. Indian Rocks Beach officials agree and say they're working with the county on a new safety plan.

The plan approved by city commissioners will move the crosswalks near 26th Avenue, 12th Avenue and 8th Avenue. They are also going to add crosswalks at 10th Avenue, 15th Avenue, 16th Avenue, 23rd Avenue, and 24th Avenue.

"That's a good idea. it'll be safer," said Vander Werf.

They will also put striping down on side streets so tourists, like Phil Carroll and his wife, know where to cross.

"We don't have the safety functions there that you have down here," Phil, of Ohio, said. "If they can increase the safety here it's all for the better."

The city said the project will be done in phases. One of the reasons for that is so traffic and businesses aren't impacted too much by the work.