BARTOW, Fla. – The City of Bartow is seeking community input on proposed road improvements for South Jackson Avenue. These initiatives are in response to a 2024 traffic safety study that assessed the 1.3-mile corridor between E. Clower St./E. Soledad Ave. and E. Main St. The study aimed to identify improvements that would reduce vehicle speeds and enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
A speed study conducted between E. Wabash and E. Lemon Streets revealed that the average vehicle was traveling over 10 mph above the posted 25 mph speed limit, with some vehicles exceeding the limit by nearly double.
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The City has already planned improvements for the area, including enhanced lighting and additional four-way stops. They are also considering features that would support the future designation of the corridor as part of the Collier to Polk Trail, a long-distance trail being developed by the Florida Department of Transportation. Grant funding may be available for the design and construction phases of these and other recommendations from the study, including extending the corridor from Mary Holland Park to the southern end of the Fort Fraser Trail along the south side of State Road 60.
A public meeting to gather feedback on the proposed improvements and garner support for the grant application will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11th, at Bartow City Hall, located at 450 N. Wilson Ave. Residents, particularly those who live near or frequently use the area targeted for improvements, are strongly encouraged to attend and share their thoughts.
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