Dark University Parkway will remain that way for now, local officials say

UNIVERSITY PARK -- Suggestions for better lighting along University Parkway seem to have fallen by the wayside, even though traffic along parts of the leafy, divided roadway is frequently in gridlock mode.

Citizens who have attended meetings of the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization have emphasized that the parkway -- the dividing line between Manatee and Sarasota counties -- is handling an increasing volume of traffic because of visitors to The Mall at University Town Center and an adjacent sports destination, Nathan Benderson Park.

Officials said this week that there are no discussions between the two counties to improve the street lighting, which now is limited to intersections along about 6 miles of the parkway.

"We all wanted to do it, but nobody knew how to pay

for it," said Manatee County Commissioner Larry Bustle, who serves on the MPO board overseeing transportation planning.

A spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation said it's strictly the decision of the two counties' commissioners.

"If Sarasota County and Manatee County say, 'Yeah, we need street lights,' and make it as a priority request to the MPO, the MPO as a whole must vote for this to be a priority, at which time MPO dollars can be used to do this," explained Robin Stublen, FDOT communications specialist.

"Or, the counties can do it themselves," he added. "University Parkway is not our highway; it's entirely their call."

Florida Highway Patrol Master Sgt. William F. Pascoe did a computer search and detailed five fatal crashes between 2011-2014 along the area in question.

Jan. 20, 2011: A crash at University Parkway and Medici Court occurred at 10:25 p.m. when a pedestrian crossed the parkway outside an intersection, violating a vehicle's right-of-way. The pedestrian was also under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

March 29, 2011: A 10:32 p.m. crash at University Parkway and Tuttle Avenue was caused by a pedestrian crossing the parkway at the intersection, but violating a vehicle's right-of-way because the driver had a green light. The pedestrian was also under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

July 16, 2011: A 2:09 a.m. crash at University and Sarasota Lakes Boulevard was caused by a pedestrian walking east in the eastbound lane of University and obstructing traffic. No alcohol was detected for either pedestrian or driver.

Feb. 26, 2013: In a 1:32 a.m. crash at University east of Whitfield Avenue, the driver of a vehicle rear-ended a scooter; the driver was under the influence and was charged with DUI manslaughter.

Dec. 6, 2014: In a 6:46 p.m. crash along the parkway west of Lockwood Ridge Road, a vehicle pulled out from a parking lot and struck a cyclist. Drug and alcohol test results are pending.

A recent fatal accident occurred at 11 a.m. March 30 when Robert Fabrizio, 50, of Sarasota, was struck by a car after stepping into its path on University Parkway east of Lockwood Ridge Road; an FHP trooper said the driver was not at fault.

In a letter last year, Sage Kamiya, Manatee County's deputy director for traffic management, said members of the county staff had done a review about the subject.

It found that night-day crash rates were well below statewide averages.

"This would suggest that continuous lighting would not significantly reduce the nighttime crash rate or potential for crash reductions," he wrote in the letter to FDOT's L.K. Nandam.

"Based on this condition, a lighting project would not be justified, and FDOT's benefit-cost analysis is not necessary," he wrote.

Kamiya said Manatee County has no lighting project underway along University Parkway.

Sara Kennedy, University Parkway reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7031. Follow her on Twitter @sarawrites.

This story was originally published April 10, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Dark University Parkway will remain that way for now, local officials say ."