SARASOTA, Fla. — Florida Department of Transportation officials plan to install temporary speed tables at the entrance and exit of St. Armands Circle.
St. Armands Circle is a popular spot for unique shops and some of the best restaurants in Sarasota. It's packed with both locals and tourists.
"We're known as one of the top 5 in the country for high-end shopping destination," said Diana Corrigan, Executive Director of The St. Armands Circle Association.
Transportation officials said between 2011 and 2016, there were 29 crashes with 12 injuries.
Diana Corrigan with The St. Armands Circle Association has been working with transportation officials to make St. Armands Circle safer.
"We need to slow everything down. Even though there is a sign that says 25 mph it doesn’t slow it down," said Corrigan.
"Because we are tourist area and a lot of people are looking around, they’re not exactly sure where they’re going so they’re not paying attention as pedestrians dart in and out of cars," she added.
An FDOT spokesperson said state officials plan to add temporary speed tables. Similar temporary speed tables could be found on Orange Avenue in Sarasota.
Officials will study the traffic flow and see how emergency vehicles operate once tables are added.
Corrigan said it's a good start.
"This was the easiest way to test what we could do and FDOT had the funds to do this test so this is the beginning. It's not the ultimate, but it's the beginning to test it," said Corrigan.
She hopes the temporary fix happens by January.
"I’ve been here for 19 years. There has not been any fatalities. However, in my tenure, we have had 3 people hit. Fortunately, none of them seriously hurt, but one person to me is more than enough," said Corrigan.
The St. Armands Circle Association is responsible for marketing and advertising St. Armands Circle. Corrigan also works with local and state government officials and advocates on behalf of business owners who operate stores around St. Armands Circle.
