Periwinkle Improvement Project an Important Step Toward a Safer Sanibel

 

 

In December the voters of Sanibel will have an important opportunity to advance the safety of all who use Periwinkle Way.  That opportunity comes in the form of a mail ballot referendum regarding planned improvements to Periwinkle Way.   A YES vote on this referendum will make Periwinkle Way safer for motorists and will make the shared use path along Periwinkle safer for the many joggers, walkers, bikers and roller-bladers that use the path every day. (see pictures below)

 

The Periwinkle Improvement Project was unanimously approved by City Council on Sept. 19th and included in this year’s City budget.  However, according to the Sanibel Charter, certain decisions made by City Council must be approved by voters (by referendum) before they can be implemented.  This is one of those cases.  Because the work will include some altered vehicular traffic lanes, the City Attorney determined that these changes could be considered “proposed major changes in Periwinkle Way”, triggering the requirement for a mail ballot referendum under the City Charter, as amended in 2005.

 

For years, the City of Sanibel, numerous City Councils, the Sanibel Bicycle Club, and others community leaders have worked to find a solution to one of the island’s most vexing safety problems, the close, side-by-side proximity of the shared-use path and the eastbound traffic lane of Periwinkle Way. The focal point of this problem has been the busy central section of Periwinkle, between the Casa Ybel intersection and the Sanibel Steak House.  In this section, the closeness of the path and traffic lanes is compounded by the high density of island businesses and the many driveways crossing the shared-use path. 

 

While there are other problem spots on the island, this area of Periwinkle has the most acute safety risk, and Police Department data shows that most accidents on the island occur along this stretch.  From January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2005, the Sanibel Police report that 34 bike/motor vehicle accidents occurred along this ½ mile section of Periwinkle Way, representing 45% of all bike/motor vehicle accidents on the island. The presence of many children on this section of the path, sometimes inches away from traffic, magnifies the risk even more.

 

After numerous attempts to find a solution to this problem, this year the City has developed a solution that will provide major safety improvements to Periwinkle Way.  Importantly, this solution will be accomplished within the existing Periwinkle right-of-way and within the City’s normal operating budget. 

 

By shifting the traffic lanes northward, away from the shared-use path, and by creating a 12-13 foot grass median between the two, the planned Periwinkle Improvement Project will create benefits that affect all of us:

 

  • Path users will be safely away from the traffic lanes.
  • Motorists on Periwinkle will be less distracted by path users.
  • Business driveways in this section will have space for cars to stop while entering and exiting without blocking the path.
  • Dedicated turn lanes will be retained for motorists turning onto Casa Ybel Road and Dixie Beach Boulevard.
  • Drainage for rainwater runoff will be significantly improved.  This will help the flooding that has often affected this section of Periwinkle.
  • The overall appearance of Periwinkle Way will be significantly improved by the addition of a grass median and removal of the delineator markers in this section.
  • The project is consistent with the Sanibel Plan which calls for a buffer between the edge of the road and the shared use path, where possible.
  • The project is scheduled to be constructed during the summer of 2007, creating improved safety within a year.

 

Shortly after Thanksgiving, the City of Sanibel will be mailing educational materials about this initiative to all registered voters.  Ballots will be mailed out by the County Supervisor of Elections on or about November 29 and must be returned by 7:00 PM on December 19. 

 

The Sanibel Bicycle Club has endorsed this project and supports a YES vote on the referendum.  Join us in making Sanibel a safer place for everyone. 

 

Patti Sousa

President

Sanibel Bicycle Club

 

Existing                                                Separation will look something like this after project