Is Speeding a Problem in Gulfport?

Neighbors on 7th Ave S. have spent years telling city leaders about excessive speeding on their block. Carolyn Huffer says she routinely sees drivers accelerate up to 40 and 50 mph between 58th St. S. and 64th St. S.

"65 to 75 percent of the cars are through traffic," Huffer told Patch in a previous story.

Huffer, joined with four neighbors from 7th Ave S. pleaded for help during the Oct. 16 Tuesday night City Council Meeting. It wasn't the first time Huffer asked for action. Although she lives on the St. Pete side of the street, she's been fighting for a solution for the past five years, even addressing previous Gulfport councilors. Since then, she says the city has decreased the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph and added small reflectors on the streets.

Once again, councilors will address the issue of speeding and high traffic volumes at the City Council Workshop on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall, 2401 53rd St. S. (Note: Workshops are usually held at 3:30 p.m.; this meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.)

City leaders will discuss whether or not to move forward with a traffic calming program which could include a $12,000 formal study or an informal study conducted by the Gulfport Police Department.

According to the agenda packet for Thursday:

"A full traffic calming study would cost about $12,000 including setting the study limits, measuring daily traffic, analyzing the speed and volume, studying the neighborhood, preparing the petitions, performing the public meetings, designating the affected area, providing a list of current property owners, reviewing the signatures, developing the appropriate solutions, preparing drawings for the devices, including signage and pavement markings."

Also included in the agenda are cost estimates for speed cushions.

"Installing the devices would cost about $4,000 for two pre-fabricated speed cushions and signage installed by City personnel. Other measures would cost more such as to over $100,000 for extensive re-alignment of streets and intersections."

Carolyn Huffer and her neighbors agree something needs to be done to protect residents and other drivers.

"We have many, many more children," Huffer said about her neighborhood.

"It's very, very dangerous," Shirley Calamari told Patch. Calamari and her husband have lived on the St. Pete side of the street for the past 12 years.

"You don't feel it until you get in the shoes of the people who live there," Val Daskalov, Gulfport resident since 2006, said.

Council member Jennifer Salmon has also expressed concerns about speeding in town and encourages residents to attend the workshop and have their voices heard.

Related Articles:

• Are People Speeding in Your Neighborhood? (Oct. 2012)

For More Information:

• View the City Council Workshop Agenda on this link._
• View the Gulfport Traffic Calming Draft on this link.
• View the Gulfport Traffic Calming Presentation on this link._