Residents press city on 11th Street truck traffic and dangerous MLK/15th pedestrian crossing

Residents at a public comment session urged Panama City officials to address heavy commercial traffic on 11th Street and safety problems at the intersection of MLK Boulevard and 15th Street.

Janet Kesler told commissioners that since a portion of 11th Street was described in local news as a business corridor, traffic — including gasoline tankers and heavy trucks — has increased "exponentially," impeding driveway access for residents and creating safety concerns. "The traffic has increased so much," Kesler said, asking whether the city could set a weight limit from Frankfurt Avenue to Beck Avenue or otherwise designate a preferred route for tankers.

Staff and commissioners said jurisdiction matters: stretches of 11th Street and adjacent roads are state roads under FDOT, while other sections are local. The mayor pro tem said the city will pursue truck-routing options, engage private carriers (including Chevron and local distributors) and suggested communicating preferred routes to mapping and GPS services.

On pedestrian safety, Michelle Bryant described children crossing at MLK Boulevard and 15th Street and called the corridor "very, very dangerous." City staff explained that FDOT controls intersection improvements and that flashing beacons are typically for midblock crossings; intersection enhancements can include high‑emphasis crosswalks, raised crosswalks or curb bumpouts, but staff recommended a traffic and engineering review and said the city would relay community concerns to FDOT. The mayor pro tem also flagged an upcoming TPO public hearing and encouraged residents to have their comments recorded.

No formal action was taken at the listening session. Commissioners asked staff to document concerns, pursue communication with FDOT and trucking stakeholders, and present possible near-term measures and advocacy steps at a future meeting.