ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A project coordinated by the Florida Department of Transportation will see a new trail for pedestrians and bicyclists traveling along the west side of 4th Street North from Gandy Boulevard to I-275 in St. Pete.
It’s intended to help reduce roadway congestion and encourage more connected communities.
“I’m sure it will just increase how people get around and how much they can do on their bikes,” says Anne Fidanzato, manager of ABC Bicycles in St. Pete.
Work on the path is clear with orange traffic barrels stretching down the road. According to FDOT, it’s designed to help reduce roadway congestion while encouraging more walkable, connected communities.
The new path has some cycling enthusiasts intrigued.
“Any path that you can add in this community makes it safer for people to get around,” said Fidanzato.
Fidanzato and her husband have owned ABC Bicycles for about 16 years. Their shop is located just south of the new path.
“Most of what we do is hybrids, so comfort hybrids that will set you straight up, as well as fitness hybrids,” she said. “People really like riding in St. Petersburg because it’s flat and the only hills we have are bridges, so you can choose whether you want to attack that bridge or not.”
Fidanzato says the pathway is already a popular one among bike travelers, with a bike lane already in place along the road. This path, she says, will add another layer of safety.
“Anytime they can add a bike lane or a bike path, that makes it safer for people to go between those very busy streets and the areas where you have a lot of commercial industry. Those are really going to add to the livability for our community,” Fidanzato said.
Creating an incentive, Fidanzato says, for new residents to step out of their cars and get some fresh air.
“People are definitely getting rid of the car. They don’t want to have to deal with parking somewhere, they don’t want to pay for parking,” she said. “They want to be able to go wherever they want to go, whether it’s to the park or the grocery store and not have to pay for all of that.”
He says it is a cheaper alternative for getting around the area.
As construction continues, drivers can expect lane closures daily from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. through this Friday. Construction of the new path is expected to be done later this year.