By Pam Nicholls, GSAC Board Member
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As the Newsletter went to press, City staff were still awaiting Johnson Engineering’s updated roundabout plans for the intersection at Harbour Drive and Crayton Road.
Last month, Johnson met to discuss draft plans with three of the four property owners who will be directly impacted by changes to the intersection.
The firm was hired by the City last September to incorporate current data and additional design ideas into their original plan which was conceived in 2018.
Yes folks, you read that right. The decision-making process over an upgrade to the existing span-wire assembly is into its eighth year.
Three years ago, the roundabout scheme was tossed out by City council in favor of a less expensive mast arm configuration. However, last summer, in a 4-3 vote following a pro-roundabout campaign by Moorings Property Owners Association, the roundabout concept was restored to favor.
Deputy City Engineer Alison Bickett is hoping to have Johnson’s revisions and a final design next month for staff review. “We would like to present to City Council in March, but the dates are not set just yet,” said Bickett. A finalized plan would need Council’s approval. Until such time, “we can’t proceed with a contractor or construction start date.”
Critics of the roundabout solution have pointed to both short- and long-term risks. GSAC board members Mark Enger and Michael Critelli have expressed concerns on emergency access to Gulf Shore Boulevard, cost and cyclist safety.
“This intersection has a bigger impact on Gulf Shore Boulevard than the Moorings neighborhood,” notes Enger. “Particularly during construction, emergency access that is slowed down even a minute or two can make a difference between life and death.”
“While roundabouts are generally better at reducing accident risk, there are many factors in Naples that make the general rules less applicable,” says Critelli. He believes a roundabout would amplify existing risks for all road users by eliminating the hard stop at intersections.
Roundabouts are a good idea in theory, but I believe that the benefit relative to the $1.5 million expense does not add up,” Critelli told the Newsletter.
