State transportation leaders released a safety audit Thursday about the Clearwater intersection where a crossing guard was killed earlier this year.
The Florida Department of Transportation's audit found nearly a dozen improvements that can make the intersection of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Belcher Road a lot safer.
The study contianed the following recommendations:
- Refurbish worn pavement markings, including restriping crosswalks and stop bars
- Replace all five-section signal heads with new four-section flashing yellow arrow signal heads
- Install retro-reflective signal head backplates to all signal indications
- Review and optimize the signal timings
- Relocate the photo enforcement signs further away from the intersection
- Replace pedestrian crossing signs
- Provide advance street name signs for all approaches
- Extend the length of the left turn lane on the westbound approach
- Review feasibility of widening the sidewalk on the southeast quadrant as part of a future resurfacing project
- Upgrade enforcement lights on the signal heads to LED technology.
The audit was conducted after crossing guard Doug Carey was hit and killed at the intersection by a speeding driver in May. In another high profile incident at the intersection, a motorcyclist was hit and somersaulted across the roadway last month.
There is no word yet as to if and when any of the recommendations will be implemented.