Tampa installs 2 temporary traffic signals on Bayshore Boulevard

TAMPA, Fla. - The city of Tampa began installing temporary traffic lights this week at two busy intersections on Bayshore Boulevard, following a rash of deadly crashes in recent years.

The traffic signals are at the intersections of Euclid and Rome avenues and are expected to be operational in July. Permanent lights will be installed at some point in the coming years.

"Both of these are located at midstream between almost two miles of uncontrolled northbound roadway and that creates opportunities for speeding,” said Vik Bihde, Tampa's Mobility Department director. “And this is borne out through 10 years of speeding data that we've looked at and crash data that we've looked at.”

These are the latest safety measures following a series of deadly crashes that began in 2018 when a mother and her baby girl were killed as they crossed Bayshore Blvd. by a driver accused of street racing. In the months that followed, the city lowered the speed limit and added flashing crosswalks.

RELATED: Survivors of mother, baby killed in Bayshore crash ask court to end delays

This year, however, there have been two more deadly crashes on Bayshore Blvd. and, according to investigators, both involved speeding.

In January, a jogger on the sidewalk was killed by a speeding car. A crash killed a bicyclist and motorcyclist in April.

"We've seen some results, but with the speeding, it's really these outliers," Bhide said, adding the city began studying the necessity of traffic lights before the recent string of crashes.

RELATED Family of jogger who was killed in Bayshore Boulevard crash sues Pinch-A-Penny

Engineers conducted a signal-warrant analysis, looking at traffic volumes, crashes and speeding. Both intersections met the criteria.

"Having vehicles stop altogether with a traffic-control device is the ultimate measure," Bhide explained.

Bhide said the traffic lights will improve the access to the side streets near Euclid and Rome avenues.