While the pandemic has slowed life for many, it’s given some areas a chance to pick up the pace.
In Port St. Lucie, some road problems are finally getting smoothed over.
Daily traffic counts on the Crosstown Parkway in Port St. Lucie are down 50%.
Assistant City Public Works Director Heath Stocton says with fewer cars on the road, now is the perfect time to take advantage.
Two sections of the Torino Parkway are under construction, spurred by less traffic, and the passage of a half-cent sales tax.
Work at Torino Parkway and Cashmere Boulevard started on Monday.
That roundabout should be complete May 1.
The other roundabout at the intersection of Torino Parkway and California Boulevard is expected to be finished a couple of weeks after that.
“Starting on Monday May 4th, the intersection at Torino and California will be completely shut down. It should be complete about May 15, two months ahead of schedule,” Stocton says.
Northbound Cashmere and California Boulevard used to end at "T" intersections with stop signs at Torino Parkway. The city says roundabouts will make things safer.
“Roundabouts handle these various traffic volumes better than a standardized signaled intersection. Those locations see a lot of odd hour peaks so when school lets out you see a peak there and it’s hard to program a signal to understand that,” Stocton says.
Jean Campbell is among those ready for the new traffic flow outside her home.
“Everyone wanted to go, they’re not waiting their turn. They just want to go 'boom' you hear it all the time,” she said.
Finishing the projects sooner also will save the city about $50,000 on this $1.4 million project.
