PALM HARBOR, Fla. – With the new construction including roundabouts in the Palm Harbor area, people have a lot to say. Mostly out of confusion as to why they built them, but some are upset with these additions.

In summer of 2020 a roundabout on Alt US 19 at Florida avenue was scheduled but the work wasn’t started until Summer 2022. The visible construction was noticed this past summer, mostly July-August. They announced that as of September 15, 2023, this 2.6-million-dollar project was completed. This was not the only new addition, this was a part in the project including road resurfacing, new sidewalks, and drainage improvements as well.

Before this space was just controlled by stop signs but they decided on a roundabout because of a couple reasons. A major one being that with a truck apron created, larger trucks and hauling vehicles would not have to navigate around this road. Another purpose for roundabouts universally is to avert right angle crashes. In this roundabout you must be going 25 mph or less and be cautious of all other cars when merging in.

Within these few months of the roundabout existing there have already been accidents so most of the public has already concluded this roundabout is doing more harm than good. Aiding more to the fact that no one wants another on Nebraska Avenue hence why protesting has begun. Signs all around the area have been put up (pictured below) to try and take a stand against the destruction of trees and commotion of closing that area to create an unwanted change.

Some of the incidents at the completed roundabout include a driver just driving right through the middle of it causing a crash due to the absence of traffic signs and lights which were said to soon be added. Some don’t see this new addition as an issue such as   Gwenyth Richter (25’) who stated, “I like it because if you know how to use a roundabout it is so much easier for everyone, cause’ you’re in, and when you’re in there’s no stopping, you’re in the circle so you just go.”

The roundabout is said to add less than 25 seconds to your travel time, but this isn’t true if you don’t know how to use it. FDOT(Florida department of transportation) claims they have gotten many requests to better the area with safety precautions. The main reason the FDOT gave as to why this will end up helping is that it is safer for bikers,cyclists and even drivers and hopefully limits the crashes. Business owners and pedestrians can vouch for how common crashes were and had hoped this would solve it. Business owners in the area did get the recognition they deserved during the planning of these changes with shrinking splitter islands, adjusting driveways and there are easier outlets to the businesses. Although some have said this has made it worse in the downtown Palm Harbor area because it limits their foot traffic.