Safety changes will be coming to the Buckman Bridge

Trying to make your drive safer.

The Florida Department of Transportation recently released a study on the Buckman Bridge which found driver error was the leading cause of crashes and issues on the Bridge, not the structure or design of the span itself. In light of that, they're pushing ahead with a few ideas geared toward helping you.

The main one, according to FDOT Spokesman Ron Tittle, is an active traffic management system- essentially lights or other indicators above the lanes which would warn an approaching driver about slowing traffic or crashes ahead, giving them time to adapt.

“Safely change lanes without doing something at the last minute,” Tittle says.

Tittle says that's the main long-term solution they've determined through the study to be "viable", but they have to bring it to the federal government.

“See if there’s something we can go forward with, considering the time and the money,” he says.

The FDOT is looking at other smaller changes, including the type of asphalt used on the Buckman. There is nothing structurally wrong with what’s used now, but Tittle says they’re examining more high friction options which will better accommodate fast braking.

There’s no timeline for getting approval or beginning possible construction. Tittle says they generally approach it with a five year hope, but every project is different. He says however long it takes, they are actively pursuing change.

Until then, they’re working with the Florida Highway Patrol to increase patrols in the area looking for speed and any dangerous driving behavior.