BRADENTON BEACH – For Bob Gumson, who is blind, crossing Gulf Drive from his Sandpiper Co-Op home is a hazardous endeavor in the absence of the audio crossing signal that was damaged by the 2024 hurricanes.
The lighted crossing signal formerly stood at the corner of 27th Street North and Gulf Drive North. Gulf Drive is a state road that is maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). At some point after the 2024 hurricanes, the non-working crossing signal and its support pole were knocked down by a construction vehicle, creating a new tripping hazard.
After months of emails requesting help from the city of Bradenton Beach and FDOT to replace the crossing signal, orange safety cones were recently placed, presumably by FDOT, around the area where the crossing signal formerly stood along the east side of Gulf Drive North.
Gumson discussed the fallen crossing signal with the mayor and city commissioners on May 21.
“I live at Sandpiper and there are 166 others who live there. It is the largest senior housing in Bradenton Beach. Since the devastating hurricanes in 2024, it (the signal) hasn’t been operating,” he said.
Gumson noted that eight years ago, then-city commissioner Jake Spooner helped get the audio crossing signal installed.
“It was incredibly helpful to get across the street,” he said. “I tried all last season and this season to get the attention needed to put it back in operation. I contacted the mayor’s office, I contacted FDOT and it’s still not working; and I’m still crossing the street at great risk of getting killed, along with everybody else that is a senior in Sandpaper. It’s essential to get that light back working for everybody.”
Gumson’s friend and neighbor, Mark Shaw, accompanied him to the meeting and he also addressed the mayor and commissioners.
“It’s actually less safe now than it was,” Shaw said, referring to a rod now projecting from the ground where the signal pole once stood. “It’s inches from the sidewalk. I don’t know who put that rod in there. Right now, we need the light, but that’s not safe either. We know it’s not Bradenton Beach (jurisdiction), but we need your help.”
In response, Mayor John Chappie said he and Police Chief/Public Works Director John Cosby previously discussed the crossing signal and phone calls were made about it two weeks ago.
“I received an email from a gentleman from FDOT. He let me know he finally got a response and it is on their list. We need to get this done,” Chappie said.
