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NewsFOX 13 Tampa BayAugust 13, 2026Hillsborough

St. Petersburg residents seek safety redesign for MLK Street South following pedestrian fatalities

Residents and advocates are calling for safety improvements on MLK Street South after two pedestrian deaths occurred this summer. While a redesign plan exists for the corridor, the project currently lacks funding and awaits direction from the City of St. Petersburg.

pedestrian safetytraffic infrastructureurban planningSt. Petersburgtransportation
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Why It Matters

The lack of funding for a proposed redesign leaves the current infrastructure on MLK Street South unchanged, impacting the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

Key Facts

  • Five people have died along MLK Street South between 2022 and summer 2026.
  • Two pedestrian fatalities occurred on MLK Street South during the summer of 2026.
  • Forward Pinellas has a proposed redesign plan for MLK Street South between 7th Avenue and 30th Avenue.
  • The proposed redesign currently has no allocated funding.
  • Forward Pinellas classifies the MLK Street South corridor as part of its 'high injury network'.
  • The northern portion of MLK Street was redesigned in 2018 to include protected bike lanes and traffic signals timed for lower speeds.
  • Activate St. Pete is holding a vigil for crash victims on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m.
  • The City of St. Petersburg has not provided a timeline for potential project funding.

Who's Mentioned

personChelsea Favaro“Division manager with Forward Pinellas.”organizationActivate St. Pete“Advocacy group pushing for safety changes.”personBrian Peret“President of the Campbell Park Neighborhood Association.”personJustin Cournoyer“Co-founder of Activate St. Pete.”personKendra Dillard“Pedestrian who died in a hit-and-run crash on Aug. 8.”personTamara Williams“Pedestrian who died in a crash this summer.”organizationCity of St. Petersburg“Local government responsible for project funding and direction.”organizationForward Pinellas“Planning agency overseeing the proposed redesign.”