Media Release
Submitted by Mike Pikula
February 6, 2020
Today Nassau County staff began the installation of new traffic signage and roadway markings at the intersection of S 14th St and Simmons Rd. After a warning/notification period of about a week, this intersection will become a mandatory 4-way stop. The installation was promoted by significant vehicle traffic increase and high pedestrian use on the new Amelia River-to-Sea Trail.
A roundabout would have been better and allowed for better traffic flow.
Yes but it wouldn’t do diddly for pedestrians and bikes on the trail.
…and how long did Jasmine and Citrona take to work?
We will need more and more traffic lights to manage the increase in traffic—one of the many consequences of rapid development.
No. Unless there is an issue with pedestrians/bikes (as here, due to the trail) roundabouts are better. Slow traffic without bringing it to a halt and reduce the severity of accidents when they do occur.
With new homes being built & an increase in traffic, every major street will need a 4-way stop….this is not the small island it used to be.
Thanks to our officials for recognizing a real safety hazard and taking action! I hope your study of the intersection will eventually place a round about here.
Enforcement will be the key to increased safety at this location.
I can’t wait to see the backups during rush hour(s). You could be looking at very long lines of cars, and frustrated drivers…what kind of analysis was done? I never saw any counters or other tracking system or public comment ahead of this.
They simply went with the cheapest solution, unfortunately.
Ben, the four way stop was placed to address an immediate need for safety. The consultant is finalizing their plan and will make a recommendation on whether a roundabout or traffic lights should be placed there in the long run
A roundabout would be much more appealing and help traffic flow better. Hope that is the recommendation.
I travel that road quite often, and rarely see any bicyclist or other cross traffic at that intersection. However, during rush hour, there is a significant amount of traffic going north and south, and there is less than a quarter of a mile between the stop signs and the roundabout. It’s quite likely the traffic will back up all the way to the roundabout. What are they going to do if it does, and it stops ittraffic on Amelia Island parkway as well? Normally, there’s some type of a traffic study that is conducted before something like this is done. for instance, why would you allow a 45 mile-an-hour speed limit between the roundabout and the stop sign? Hopefully, it doesn’t become a big problem, but I doubt you’re going to be able to wait two or three years for a decision.
I agree with you.
Katherine Thompson
I hate they’re putting in a four way stop at that intersection, but that trail and the improperly functioning warning light associated with it was going to result in a bad accident there. I’ve been surprised no one has been killed in the short time the trail has been open – thank goodness the trail isn’t heavily used! I agree that a roundabout would be the better choice if it can fit in the space available.
“thank goodness the trail isn’t heavily used! ”
Yet.
It’s new and it’s off season. I anticipate a jump in use over spring break and, once more people become aware of the trail there will be more foot/bike traffic….which is why a roundabout may not work there. People were already ignoring the crossing lights (in Canada that will get you a ticket- they take pedestrian crossings VERY seriously) before the stops signs. I hope they would stop for pedestrians and bikes in a roundabout as they do on First Coast Highway but…..we shall see. As someone else noted, a 4 way stop or light are going to cause issues with the roundabout at the Parkway if the traffic backs up that far. Simple matter of too many cars in a restricted area (island). Reducing the speed limit on the Parkway and 14th would help some but, ultimately, it’s a problem that’s just going to get worse.
I saw the concrete footings that were poured a couple of days ago and wondered what they were for. Not a big deal for travelers on Simmons, but this could be problematic for the relatively heavy traffic on 14th. Look for a roundabout in 2-3 years.