LABELLE- LaBelle City Commissioners approved a resolution opposing the crosswalk on SR 80 east of Martin Street. The resolution calls on the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to remove and relocate the crosswalk due to health and safety concerns. 

The crosswalk issues were raised directly to FDOT back during a Sept. 20, 2024 meeting when FDOT representatives were in LaBelle for a presentation on the future of SR 80. At that meeting, commissioners decided to officially adopt a resolution asking for the crosswalk to be relocated. 

The resolution states that the crosswalk has generated significant public concern due to potential health and safety risks it poses to the residents of LaBelle, as well as the disruption to traffic flow in and out of nearby businesses. The crosswalk is located next to Contreras Mexican Restaurant. 

During discussion on the resolution, Mayor Julie C. Wilkins revealed that a similar crosswalk that FDOT was planning in Clewiston is now no longer happening. 

“They (FDOT) actually delayed indefinitely the installation of these in Clewiston,” said Mayor Wilkins. “It was going to be done in Clewiston, but because they got so much flak from us and our citizens, they removed it. That shows that it is a problem.” 

Clerk-Commissioner Hugo Vargas agreed the crosswalk needed to be tweaked and relocated but argued that people that do not have vehicles still need a way to cross the road. 

“I think we have residents that don’t have transportation that are playing Frogger on SR80,” said Commissioner Vargas. “It’s a safety concern. Does it need improvement? Yes. But do they still need a safe place to cross the road? Absolutely.” 

The resolution ends with the City Commission urging FDOT to involve the citizens of LaBelle in the planning and approval process of future infrastructure projects to ensure that the voices of the community are heard and considered.