Starting this month, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will replace the temporary, modular speed humps along John Ringling Boulevard with permanent asphalt “speed tables.” The project aims to smooth out the arrival experience into the Circle while maintaining safety for pedestrians and residents.
The existing plastic speed bumps, which were installed as a traffic-calming measure, have caused wear and tear on the pavement underneath them over time. According to FDOT, the new asphalt tables will provide a smoother, more predictable transition for drivers while still effectively slowing traffic entering the busy commercial district.
“These new asphalt speed tables will help slow vehicles and create a more comfortable and predictable environment for everyone traveling through the St. Armands area,” said John Kubler, FDOT District One’s Director of Transportation Operations.
To minimize gridlock on the Circle, FDOT crews will perform the work overnight, with lane closures scheduled between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
The construction will happen in a quick, two-step process:
• Night 1 (Early December): Crews will rip out the old plastic humps, repair the damaged pavement underneath, and lay down the new asphalt tables in a single shift.
• The “Cure” Period: For the next 10 days, the road will be open as usual while the fresh asphalt hardens. No construction will happen during this window.
• Night 2 (Mid-December): Once the asphalt has cured, crews will return for one final night to paint permanent thermoplastic warnings and striping on the new humps.
While the work is fast, residents driving late at night should expect delays. Lane closures will be in effect during the two active work nights. FDOT warns that cold weather or rain could push the schedule back slightly, as asphalt requires specific conditions to set properly.
