Reflectors added to Clearwater Memorial Causeway

By: Valerie Boey

Clearwater, Florida - The Clearwater Memorial Causeway looks like a peaceful place with a beautiful view, but Driver Frank Urino says looks can be deceiving, “I definitely think it's dangerous.”

It's been almost a year since Frank was in a bad accident on the bridge, “My heel was crushed they said it was like a sugar cookie being hit by a sledge hammer, my foot was smashed and they had to replace it with cadaver bones. I have a hole in my leg that goes all the way down.”

He says another driver crossed the median and crashed into his car. Two other people have died in separate accidents on the bridge, “If the median was higher she would never have been able to go across it.”

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, all the accidents occurred on the west side the bridge where it curves.

You can even see tire marks across the median. In order to prevent future accidents state workers installed reflectors in the center of the highway.

Design engineer Dwayne Kile says, the accidents occurred because people were speeding and impaired. He believes it's more of an enforcement issue. However, reflectors were added to make it safer, “We've added an additional enhancement just in case one is distracted, it gives another possibility for them to be able to better see where the curb is.”

Kile doesn't think there's a need for a concrete barrier, “The state will continue to monitor the issue to see if there's a need, if the severity continues on then there might be a need in the future to have to put something in the middle there.”

But Frank says his accident occurred in the morning and reflectors won't make it safer. He believes the price of waiting could cost another life, “Wait and see for another accident it's dangerous, that bridge is dangerous.”

State engineers say they have received letters from other people asking for concrete barriers. It would cost two-million-dollars to install. They're also concerned about added weight on the bridge.