The city of Tampa is officially lowering the speed limit on Bayshore Boulevard following Wednesday’s deadly drag racing incident.
- City says change part of next phase of Bayshore project
- Change moved up in response to crash that killed mother, toddler
- Residents say change has been sought after for years
City officials said plans were already in the works to lower the speed limit, but the accident moved up the process.
"Under the circumstances we felt that it was appropriate and responsible to go ahead and do this more quickly," said Duncan.
She said it's part of an on-going, multi-phase project on Bayshore.
Other changes that are part of the project are narrower vehicle lanes, extended bike lanes and flashing pedestrian walkway signs.
Both 24-year-old Jessica Raubenolt and her 21-month old toddler, Lillia, were killed after they were hit by a car racing against another car northbound on Bayshore Boulevard.
Crews will be out changing speed limit signs over the next few days. In addition, crosswalks will be added at S. Dakota Avenue, S. Delaware Avenue, and Midway between S. Brevard Avenue and W. Swann Avenue. The city is analyzing pedestrian counts at W. Beach Place for a possible fourth crosswalk location.
Lower speed limit long overdue
Neighbors say a lower speed limit is something they've wanted to see for years.
"I ride up here all the time and I see a lot of cars speeding. I saw a guy hit on a bike once so yes, I think it's a positive thing," said Manny Hernandez.
Up until now, there are flashing signs on both sides of Bayshore Boulevard notifying drivers how fast they’re going.
Homeowners say this hasn’t worked.
“I rarely see officers writing tickets,” said Chelsea Johnson, president of the Bayshore Beautiful Homeowners Association.
Traffic stops on Bayshore up
Not so, said the Tampa Police Department. The department said that officers have issued 2,280 citations and 554 written warnings on Bayshore Boulevard over the past three years.
Traffic stops increased by 55 percent in the last year.
Kim DeGance of the Palma Ceia Neighborhood Association said it's just not enough. She believes the tragedy could have been prevented if things like the speed limit change had been done sooner.
“We’re outraged, we’re angry. We’re upset," DeGance said. "This could have been avoided. Simple things, paint on the sidewalks for crosswalks could have been added. Reducing the speed limit to 35 could have been done."
She said they have tried reaching out to the mayor’s office about this issue in the past few months but were told he didn’t have time to meet with them.
Tampa Police will be enforcing the new speed limit.