Roundabout or signal becomes the question in Palm Harbor

PALM HARBOR — More than 150 people crowded into Harbor Hall on Tuesday for a hearing about improving Alt. U.S. 19. The state Department of Transportation presented two options: adding a traffic signal at Nebraska Avenue or adding a roundabout at Florida Avenue.

After a DOT representative said the department is leaning toward adding the roundabout, audience members voiced their disapproval.

Project manager Craig Fox brought up the roundabout on Clearwater Beach and talked about the way Clearwater has improved it since it was constructed. A good design will give Palm Harbor good results, he says.

One question repeated multiple times by crowd members: Could a lighted crosswalk be added instead of a roundabout to allow people to cross the street safely?

Because the meeting was a public hearing, no decisions were made. Representatives from Pinellas County said audience comments will be taken into consideration.

Surveys were provided to audience members. Comments can be mailed in to the Pinellas County Planning Department, 310 Court St., Clearwater, or submitted at pinellas county.org/downtownpalmharbor/.