BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer

No one was happier than the East Tampa neighborhood leaders when the 40th Street project was completed. More lanes were constructed, and a new bridge now crosses the river.

However, three items along 40th Street heading north are the cause of great concern to citizens and drivers. Those items are the 3 roundabouts, one at 40th Street and Hanna, one at 40th Street and Riverhills, and another at 40th Street near Yukon.

The question raised recently is who came up with the idea for the roundabouts in the first place?

According to City of Tampa Transportation Manager, Jean Dorzback, a project development and environmental study was done in the 1990s, and that outlined what direction to go with the design concept for 40th Street.

Dorzback said over the past eight years, they’ve had a task force of neighborhood leaders attending all the meetings and bringing the information back to their communities.

“Those meetings were held monthly and numerous presentations were made, including a video presentation. Every effort was made to get the word out to the community and get their feedback on the project.”

Dorzback said the Federal Highway Administration approved the study and that cleared the way for the funding of the 40th street project.[private]

“We actually had an instructional video that was seen by citizens so they would know how to navigate through the roundabouts.

“I admit, we were apprehensive at first, but we believe there are great benefits in having the roundabouts.”

Dorzback said the benefits of the roundabouts are they improve safety, reduces speed, lowers accident statistics, control the flow of traffic better, alleviate congestion on the roadways, and aid in fuel savings as well as causing less emissions from cars idling at stop lights.

Former Tampa City Councilman, Thomas Scott (pictured), said he was concerned about the concept when it was first raised. “I felt it was not a good idea, and it would cause a lot of accidents. I addressed that concern from the beginning.

“It was under the Pam Iorio administration when the design concepts were made.”

Councilman Frank Reddick said he doesn’t like the roundabouts, and feels they are confusing. “Whoever came up with the idea, it was not a good one. I fear there will be an increase in accidents due to the roundabouts. I don’t want it on 22nd Street, and I’d like to meet with Ed Johnson (East Tampa Development Manager) and find a way to exclude them.”

What Councilman Reddick was referring to are plans for a roundabout at the junction of 22nd Street and 21st Street as part of Phase II in the 22nd Street Enhancement Project.

Johnson said consultants did the design work and came up with the idea for the roundabout.

“The engineering consulting firm of Wade/Trimm was used and the actual study/design for the roundabout cost $294,000.

“In 2003, the Wilson Miller Firm prepared a concept that included what’s happening on 22nd Street right now. All of the meetings that went on during the adaption of the CRA Plan involved discussions of the 22nd Street project. The project was also brought to the public’s attention through mailings, community meetings, and during meetings of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership.”

Johnson said because the roads go off into one-way pairs, it was felt that could be a gateway into East Tampa.

Johnson also said when the concept was presented to the public, there were no complaints initially. He also said there was no opposition to the plan at the time it was submitted.[/private]