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In the Know: Noise, speeders on Imperial Parkway
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Q: Thank you for your recent column attempting to educate the public about the need for the 35 mph speed limit on Imperial Parkway in Bonita Springs. Now can you do something about enforcement? If it’s a speed trap, the county isn’t making much money from it. I live one block from the intersection of Dean Street and Imperial Parkway, so I use it frequently. I never see any law enforcement. In addition, the noise from unmufflered motorcycles goes on day and night. We were promised buffering (landscaping and a wall). When is that going to happen? Having another north-south road is certainly desirable, but those of us who are most negatively impacted should get some consideration.
Kathryn Shannon , Bonita Springs
A: There is buffering coming, Kathryn, but it may take awhile to get to your section.
As for enforcement of the 35 mph speed limit, if you’re unhappy with it now, it’s not going to get any better.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is well aware of the speeding situation on Imperial Parkway. It’s relative newness, four lanes and minimal traffic mean the 35 and 45 mph speed limits are usually regarded as mere suggestions.
While speeding is a way of life in Southwest Florida (and really, all of America) you’re right, Kathryn, it is particularly bad on this stretch of Imperial Parkway. Each time I’ve driven it, cars are at least 10 mph over the posted limit.
The Sheriff’s Office regards this stretch as a target enforcement area, meaning a traffic unit is frequently out there.
The Bonita Springs community police also are aware of the speeding situation and spend some of their shifts tracking down speeders. Once, a deputy was out on a tractor, clocking motorists with a radar gun.
Other than that, the Sheriff’s Office doesn’t plan on increasing patrols on Imperial Parkway, as that is already far more than the average road.
With the buffering, Imperial Parkway residents are getting their wall as promised, although the area south of East Terry Street (by you, Kathryn) is last on the list.
Lee County, which controls the section north of East Terry Street, is set to begin construction on its wall within a month or so.
There is a 600-foot section north of East Terry Street near Leitner Creek that Lee County won’t do. The Bonita Springs City Council will discuss next week whether it wants to do that section of the wall.
As for the section south of East Terry Street — where the homes are closest to the thoroughfare — Johnson Engineering has just completed a study for the city, which controls the section, looking at possible places for the wall.
The largest impediment for that section is all the utilities in the area, so it will take longer for that barrier to be in place.
Patience can be a hard virtue to come by when cars, trucks and motorcycles are speeding past your window, Kathryn, but keep in mind it won’t be that way forever.
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Brad Kane is a staff writer for the Daily News. E-mail him In the Know questions at bjkane@bonitanews.com. For a complete archive of In the Know, visit www.naplesnews.com/intheknow.
Comments
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The problem on Imperial isn't how fast people drive, rather the speed limit is too low. 35 M.P.H. on a four lane, divided median, limited access, void of development highway? Why waste taxpayers money building such a nice road, and then demand that people crawl along so slowly? Just because some mindless government entity set the speed limit at 35 doesn't make it a logical, well thought out decision.
#1 Posted by swfljim on July 10, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am 3/4 of a mile off Rt. 41. The other weekend night, I heard a long group of motorcycles going north on Rt. 41. At least 45 seconds long. It was loud. Obnoxiously loud. At 10 pm.
The fact that is was pouring rain just made me smile.
In fairness, the wind was out of the east.
#2 Posted by volochine on July 11, 2008 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I live right off Imperial, my yard backs right up to it, and also drive it everyday. The speed is to Slow, it should be 45. 35 is just to slow for a 4 lane road. As far as the noise from the road is is load sometimes and the wall will help. But that is where we live and there is not much we can do about it. And I love the sound of the Harleys going by from time to time.
#3 Posted by Randy50 on July 11, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God forbid Kathryn has to listen to loud vehicles driving past her house. At least you don't have to worry about bombs going off everyday and listening to that kind of thing like over in the Middle East. Realize how good you have it here before complaining about nonsense.
#4 Posted by napleska7 on July 11, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Bonita Springs community police also are aware of the speeding situation
bonita springs community police?
where did they come from?
#5 Posted by Chenzo on July 11, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So the answers are:
1. Give us realistic speed limits.
2. Hurry up on the buffering.
#6 Posted by JohhnyB on July 11, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fartcarts (Harleys) are a problem everywhere.
As the baby boomers retire here they'll be knocking more and more of them over, and blaming it on poor eyesight.
Perhaps that will help to quiet and clear the air.
#7 Posted by Naplestango on July 11, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Got no problem with motorcycles. Have a big problem with owners who feel the loud noise gets them excited. Especially in groups....A single motorcycle is not that loud......Get a group of them and it's like... who's bike is louder?
I swear there must be a switch that the user can turn to make the bike louder, when they want.
#8 Posted by volochine on July 12, 2008 at 1:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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