FDOT: Pedestrian Pathways Project on Dale Mabry Almost Done

It's no secret that walking, jogging or biking along Dale Mabry Highway poses a risk for residents.

With that in mind, the Florida Department of Transportation is hoping to make the busy roadway safer by installing pedestrian pathways on both sides of the road, stretching from Carrollwood Springs Road to Northgreen Avenue.

The project, which costs $611,000, involves building new sidewalks and timber boardwalks along Dale Mabry, according to FDOT.

The sidewalks will be built on the east side of Dale Mabry between Zambito and Hoedt roads, and on the west side of Dale Mabry between Northdale Boulevard and Northgreen Avenue, in front of Gaither High School, according to FDOT.

The timber boardwalks will be built along the west side of Dale Mabry between Carrollwood Springs Road and Northdale Boulevard, according to FDOT.

The project - which began in August of 2011 and will be completed at the end of this month - was scheduled to be completed earlier, but a few factors pushed construction back, said Kris Carson, spokeswoman for FDOT.

"We thought everything would be done before the holidays, but they got behind with some rain days and also the holidays," said Carson.

While pedestrians may appreciate the project after its completion, FDOT warned of traffic snarls, since construction work makes it more difficult for drivers to turn right into shopping plazas along Dale Mabry if they're heading south.

Even so, local business owners like Ian Craig, whose is located in a popular shopping plaza near Bearss Avenue and Dale Mabry that also houses a post office and DSW shoe store, welcome the project.

"I don't think anybody walks along Dale Mabry," Craig said, "so I suppose if it makes it more walkable, its worth it."