That Confusing and Dangerous Trail Crossing...
Even after a couple of costly attempts by FDOT to improve the Downtown Connector Trail crossing at Williston Rd./SR-331 in recent years, this intersection of a very popular multi-use trail and a very busy state highway and commuter artery remains far too dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians, and remains very confusing. There have been numerous crashes there, many resulting in serious injuries. I do not believe any cyclists have died trying to cross there...yet.
Most GCC cyclists who ride the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail already know that we MUST always STOP and make sure it is safe before proceeding across that intersection, no matter what the pedestrian walk signal says. But riders and runners who are less familiar with that trail crossing than we are may not realize how dangerous that crossing is, and may count on the drivers to stop. But, the drivers don't always stop. (Some drivers don't even slow down when they see the flashing red lights above them...) Some cyclists and runners treat the 24 second countdown timer on the pedestrian walk signal as an incentive to speed up and try to "make it across" the highway before the "Don't Walk" light starts flashing.
A few of us are doing our best to try to make things safer by communicating with/making suggestions to the City of Gainesville (Traffic Operations and Vision Zero) and State of Florida (FDOT) traffic engineers. Reinstalling the STOP and STOP AHEAD signs for the cyclists and pedestrians on the paved trail that were inexplicably replaced with signs depicting a traffic signal, adding flashing red lights to those STOP signs to make them more noticeable, adding pavement markings to the trail to warn cyclists and pedestrians of the coming HWY XING, and clearing trees and vegetation to provide a better line of sight for cyclists and pedestrians approaching Williston Rd. should all be very easy, inexpensive, common sense "asks" of the City of Gainesville Traffic Operations, and our City Vision Zero Coordinator.
Additionally, FDOT could easily lower the speed limit on Williston Rd./SR 331 from 45 MPH to 35 MPH for drivers before they reach the trail crossing, instead of 1/4 mile after they pass through it. FDOT could easily delay increasing the speed limit from 35 to 45 MPH for drivers approaching the crossing from the downtown area until after they have passed through the trail crossing. (Currently, the speed limit increases for those drivers right before they reach the trail crossing.) FDOT could also paint additional pavement markings on the road far enough away from the trail crossing that drivers could see them and have time to react to them, which is not the case with the current pavement markings on Williston Rd. And, while a more challenging problem, FDOT could at least try to change the timing on the pedestrian walk signals and the drivers' hybrid beacons, in order to make them more clear to the pedestrians, cyclists and drivers who see them, and often react in confusion in ways that could result in someone being killed or injured.
Some who ride the GHT frequently recognize and have described the problems with the trail crossing, and have suggested solutions. Will the engineers listen to us? Time will tell. (Perhaps if they hear from more of us?)
I will continue trying to prevent tragedy and injury at this trail crossing. You can join me and advocate for change as well. (email me at notneb.kathy@gmail.com for more info.) You can also help raise awareness about this, and watch and share the videos below. While not aimed at cyclists, they are somewhat helpful in teaching pedestrians, drivers and cyclists how to safely navigate a mid-block pedestrian crossing with pedestrian hybrid beacons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY2cYBbMadg