Concrete barriers along the bike lanes on State Road 776 in Englewood are still causing headaches for drivers, and the community is pushing back. A mechanic along the corridor says vehicles keep damaging tires, and some have been towed after striking the curbing. An online petition calling for changes has now collected thousands of signatures.
Longtime Englewood resident Brian Faro wants FDOT to reconsider the curbing, saying he hopes the state will either make it less impactful or eliminate it altogether. He’s also concerned about the project’s other changes: the two-way center turn lane is being replaced with raised medians and designated turn lanes, which he worries will complicate navigation when seasonal traffic swells.
FDOT says the separators meet current standards for height, placement, drainage and visibility, and that the roadway changes are designed to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes. The agency has not yet responded to WINK News’ latest questions about the petition. If you drive 776 regularly, what’s been your experience with the new barriers? Share your story with us.
