Two years ago, the intersection of Cleveland Street and South Boulevard was widened and the traffic signal reconfigured to better fit the growing traffic patterns of the area.
Today, northbound traffic on South Boulevard spends multiple light cycles before there's a safe opening to turn west on Cleveland Street. It's something that south Tampa resident Gray Caron would like to see changed.
"It takes three lights or more to turn left there," Caron said. "Surely the D.O.T. could make it so traffic turning westbound on Cleveland could have a 60-second lead to make their turn before the traffic on South Boulevard goes straight."
Currently, northbound drivers either see a yellow (amber) flashing left arrow or a red light at the intersection. There is no protected green arrow.
Drivers wait until there's a break in the southbound traffic, then make the turn when it's safe to do so.
Bay News 9 reached out to Jean Duncan, Transportation and Stormwater Services Department director for the City of Tampa, asking about any future plans to change the signal configuration.
"There is no green phase because historically there were sufficient gaps in traffic for the left turns to clear," she said. "Given the rapid development in the area, traffic patterns may have changed in the last two years. We'll conduct observations, data collection and assess the approach for a left turn phase. If warranted, we will implement the same."