Council Considers One-Way Streets on South BeachBy Carl WagenfohrCLEARWATER - Fearing that traffic snarls and potential collisions would result from drivers making left turns onto Coronado Drive from the planned parking garages at the Hyatt Aqualea and Britts, the Clearwater City Council seemed to favor a plan presented Monday by Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels that would turn Hamden Drive, First Street and Coronado Drive into one-way streets. "We really don't have a choice here, in my view, with the garages going up," said Vice Mayor Paul Gibson Coronado would become one-way southbound from First Street to its intersection with Hamden. Two through lanes would continue to Gulfview Blvd., while Coronado's third (left) lane would be dedicated to left turns onto Hamden. Two through lanes for northbound traffic would be created by making Hamden and First Street one-way between their southern and northern intersections with Coronado. The alteration would consist of roadway markings and signs at a cost of about $10-thousand according to Bertels. And the change could be accomplished overnight, but not before holding a public meeting to present the proposed changes to the public. That meeting has not yet been scheduled, but should be held before mid-November according to the City's Director of Public Communications, Joelle Castelli. An implementation schedule will be determined following the public meeting.
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