Support Us Button Widget

What’s the deal with the Florida Avenue Road Diet Test?

Screen Shot 2020-01-21 at 10.05.22 AM

Dixieland is lined with small businesses.

Photo by @kalebwalding

Table of Contents

In case you didn’t know, Florida Ave. is about to get a bit of a makeover in just a few months. (i.e. it’s going from five to three lanes.)

Recreated footage of you trying to figure out how this will work. (Don’t worry – we’re about to get to that.) | Gif via Giphy

We know the redo of an entire roadespecially one that’s as hopping as Florida Ave. – can seem pretty daunting. Like when is it happening? Will you need to #PlanAhead your commute time? How will its success be measured? Etc. So in an effort to drive away some of your roadway anxieties (and ours too, tbh), we reached out to the City for the answers.

Here’s the scoop on the project in ~2 min. ⌛

  • Construction of the Florida Avenue Road Diet Test between Ariana St. + Lime St. is scheduled to begin this spring, following Detroit Tigers Spring Training + the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, and is expected to last six months. Following the completion of construction activities, the test will begin and will last for one year.
  • The City Commission will make the final determination on the success of the road diet test based on data + community input.
  • The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will collect data at 90+ locations to determine existing traffic counts, travel times + vehicle types before construction starts.
  • The City has already fitted devices on 15+ traffic signals that are providing real-time travel speeds + delays in the project area. The data provides information on current traffic conditions that can be compared with post-construction traffic data. This will help determine increases in congestion and diverted traffic.
  • Crash data will also be used to determine if traffic safety has improved for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists during the test period.
  • Noteworthy: FDOT has funded a new transit circulator route between Southgate Plaza + downtown that will allow the Citrus Connection’s Gold Line to run without any stops within the test area.

Click here to learn more about the “why” behind the project.

Question

– LALtoday team (Jessica + Kaylee)

More from LALtoday
This city boasts top-ranked medical providers and specialty services. Our comprehensive guide will help you find the care you need — whether you’re new to town or just looking around.
We’re here to make your flying process plane and simple.
The store finds vacant retail spaces and signs temporary leases to set up shop leading up to Halloween — but locations can change each year.
Check out a book, then check out these unique library features that cardholders can enjoy.
These events bring together your favorite vendors on the same day each month in nearby downtown areas and historic districts.
We keep an eye on your clicks to make sure LALtoday is always filled with content you love.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Just like each dog breed has its own personality, each community in Lakeland shines with unique characteristics. Which breed sounds most like you?
If you don’t have coffee already in hand, consider this your sign to grab some.
Ready for your lunch break? Check out these 30+ lunches from hearty salads to diner-style bites.