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MINUTES OF THE MARTIN COUNTY -
SCROLL DOWN TO 9A FOR ROUNDABOUTS (webwriter)
METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION
Monday July 16, 2001 9:00 A.M.
HELD IN THE COMMISSION MEETING ROOM 2401 SE MONTEREY ROAD, STUART, FL 34996
MARTIN COUNTY METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MEMBERS
Elmira R. Gainey, Chair- Martin County Commissioner
Karl Krueger, Vice-Chair - City of Stuart Commissioner
Doug Smith - Martin County Commissioner
Lee Weberman - Martin County Commissioner
Michael DiTerlizzi- Martin County Commissioner
Gene C. Rifkin - Mayor, City Of Stuart
Members Not in Attendance:
Robert Wienke, Mayor - Town of Sewall's Point ( really mad mayor, was on
vacation in Italy) This was his "done deal", missed the
meeting! Then Town Attorney Tim Wright went on to express the Mayors anger
at the podium in defense of the
round a bouts.
Staff Present:
Sivani Kantamneni, MPO Coordinator Tamara L. Pake - Programs Assistant Gary Roberts, Transportation Administrator
Don Donaldson, Director, Public Services
Others in Attendance:
Stacey Miller, FDOT Larry Hymowitz, FDOT Larry Merritt, FDOT, Rebecca Rivett, FDOT,Paul Lampley, FDOT
Mary-Tery Vilches, FDOT, Chuck Deeb, Consultant HJ Ross & Associates
*Indicates a Motion **Indicates a Vote ***Indicates for the
Record ****Indicates BCC Motion
1. CALL TO ORDER - Called to Order at 9:00 am.
2. PRAYER Prayer offering
provided by Reverend Amanda Howard
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. ROLL CALL - A quorum was present.
5. APPROVE AGENDA
Commissioner Weberman said he would like staff to finish the research
concerning the airport and then give presentations to the City of Stuart,
Town of Sewall's Point and the Board of County Commissioners before bringing
it back to the MPO. The Chair asked Commissioner Weberman to note
supplemental agenda item 9B-1, where it is being recommended that the MPO
delay this item, and asked that we discuss this item at that time.
Commissioner Weberman concurred.
* Commissioner Smith moved to approve the agenda. Commissioner
Krueger seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
6. MINUTES
* Commissioner Krueger moved to approve the minutes. Mayor Rifkin
seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS - NON AGENDA ITEMS - PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES.
There were no comments from the public on non-agenda items.
CONSENT ITEMS
8A. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
MEMO: mpo01a.075
Commissioner Weberman asked staff what the issue is, in regard to
GreenRiver Parkway and the Western Corridor. Mr. Roberts said it is for
joint participation between the two counties, letting them know the status
of the two projects within Martin County, and any coordination that we may
need with St. Lucie County. Commissioner Weberman asked if this was a joint
meeting of the two boards. Mr. Roberts answered yes.
In response to Commissioner DiTerlizzi, Ms. Kantamneni said the
September 20th meeting is a special meeting being held at *1:30 p.m. on
Thursday in the Martin County Commission Chambers.
Secretaries Correction: The Joint MPO/SLC meeting is to be held at
*1:00 p.m.
The Chair directed staff to advertise the time and date of
the joint meeting with St. Lucie County.
* Commissioner DiTerlizzi moved to endorse the
Future Agenda Items. Mayor Rifkin seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
AGENDA ITEMS
9A. TOWN OF Sewall's POINT ROUNDABOUTS
MEMO mpo01a.066
Ms. Kantamneni gave an overview of the Sewall's Point Roundabouts
project.
The Chair asked Ms. Stacey Miller to explain the proposed plans and
provide comments on the turn areas and the trees.
Ms. Stacey Miller, Project Manager FDOT, gave a run down on the
project.
The Chair said that someone coming from the side of Stuart, going
east, can turn left into Harbour Bay. Ms. Miller said that is correct.
Commissioner Smith asked if a person can turn right coming out of
Harbour Bay. Ms. Miller said yes, Harbour Bay still has access points on
River Road and Sewall's Point Road that have not been modified, so those two
are still functional for entering and exiting, but the only way to exit onto
SR A1A would be to make a right, and then utilize the roundabouts to U-turn
and come back eastbound.
Commissioner Weberman said the partial variance is still a change from
what was presented to the shopping center back in 1998, where they were
basically told they were going to have no changes to their access, you're
now just giving them a partial. Ms. Miller asked, in 1998 at the charrette?
Mr. Weberman said whatever, it is a changeover from what the residents were
presented. Ms. Miller said it is her understanding, from the plans she has
seen from the Town of Sewall's Point, they were provided with a left turn
access into Harbour Bay Plaza at that charrette, so it is consistent with
the plan presented by the Town to the Department regarding the access.
Commissioner Weberman said, but you're changing the left turn out of the
shopping center. Ms. Miller said her understanding is, as part of the
charrette plan, it did not show left turn access out of Harbour Bay Plaza.
Commissioner Weberman said, but it is a change over the existing conditions.
Ms. Miller said it is a change over the existing conditions which is a
5-lane section, in that location, without a median.
Secretaries Note: The usage of etc. is used by the Speaker, and not
included at the discretion of the transcriber.
Commissioner Weberman asked what the justification was for the
roundabout at River Road; are there accidents, is there an accident history,
I need a better understanding of why the roundabout was put in at River
Road. Ms. Miller said the justifications for the roundabouts, after the Town
of Sewall's Point Charrette and the Town presented that proposal to the
Department, went through the process of Justification Report. The
Justification Report takes in different factors, safety, level of service,
current traffic movement, etc. The Justification Report states that level of
service increases by 2 levels by utilizing a roundabout, as opposed to a
signalized intersection at River Road.
Commissioner Weberman asked if there is any pressing accident history
that requires the roundabout at River Road. Ms. Miller asked, pressing
accident history? Commissioner Weberman asked if there are conflicts. Ms.
Miller said there are always conflicts, because it's an intersection, and if
it has stop condition, it has conflicts. There are accidents at that
particular intersection; is it excessive, no, it is not excessive.
Commissioner Weberman asked Ms. Miller to explain the mid-crosswalk.
Ms. Miller said the Town of Sewall's Point requested the Department provide
a signalized mid-block crossing, because of the nature of roundabouts there
is no signalization within this corridor, although you have crosswalks in
every direction at each intersection.
Commissioner Weberman asked if anyone has done an
estimate of the actual number of people that will cross at that crosswalk.
Ms. Miller said they have very minimal numbers regarding pedestrian activity
in the Town.
Commissioner Weberman asked if these roundabouts are consistent with
an elder ready community. Ms. Miller said they are consistent with the
Florida Department of Transportation's practices and the Federal practices
regarding elder road user programs.
Commissioner Weberman asked if an elderly person would view this as
being easier than going through a traffic signal. Ms. Miller said that is
very dependant on the individual.
Commissioner Weberman asked if it was possible for FDOT to build one
of the roundabouts now at Sewall's Point Road. Ms. Miller said that would be
inconsistent with what the Town has requested from the Department.
Commissioner Weberman said, let's not focus on what the Town has
requested, let's focus on what the community wants; is it possible to build
one roundabout at Sewall's Point Road. Ms. Miller said the Department can
provide additional, or a different type of configuration at River Road, as
opposed to a roundabout.
Commissioner Weberman asked if it was possible to put this decision
off until the new Lyons Bridge is completed, like the City of Stuart
requested, for the Roosevelt Bridge. Ms. Miller said again, it is possible,
but it would be inconsistent with what the Town of Sewall's Point has
requested of the Department.
Mayor Rifkin asked for the total cost of one roundabout, and the total
cost of both roundabouts. Ms. Miller said they haven't broken the project
out by individual roundabouts because it's a global project with landscaping
features and lighting features, etc. The project, as it currently exists
today, would be approximately $1.3 million dollars with all the features,
the existing landscaping, lighting, etc.
Commissioner Smith asked what the other configuration at River Road
would be if they didn't put in a roundabout. Ms. Miller said, as of several
years ago when the project was still a portion of the Evans Crary Bridge
projects, it was requested that a signal be installed at River Road at
Sewall's Point Road. The Department would, at this point, determine what the
appropriate intersection would be, whether it be signalization, stop
conditions, etc.
Commissioner Smith asked if traffic was similar to what it is on the
western side. Ms. Miller said it is completely different on the western side
of the Evans Crary. Commissioner Smith asked if it was more or less. Ms.
Miller said there is less cross street traffic; River Road dead-ends at the
end of it's access point to the two plazas, so it's not a through street.
There is continuous northbound access but it is a completely different
configuration.
Commissioner Smith asked if there are different costs associated with
acquisition of right of way. Ms. Miller said there is different acquisition
required with signalization versus roundabouts. There is much more corner
clip land needed when proposing a roundabout in order to segregate the
traffic and move it from the middle, you have to buy more land on the
exterior. It depends on how many lanes you need to control the intersection.
Commissioner Smith asked if additional lanes were going to be provided
or looked at on Sewall's Point Road. Ms. Miller said Sewall's Point Road
would need to be expanded from it's current condition; it would require dual
left turn lanes if it was not a roundabout. Commissioner Smith asked if that
would include additional acquisition. Ms. Miller said it would not at this
time, they feel the amount of land they have acquired at the intersection
would be sufficient, however, it may require additional land on North
Sewall's Point Road in order to accommodate two receiver lanes that then
merge into one lane.
Commissioner Smith asked if there was a cost analysis done on
signalized intersections versus the roundabouts. Ms. Miller said that has
not been done in several years and our cost of doing signalized
intersections raise every year due to the different facets of controller
cabinets, signalization equipment, mast arms, etc.
Commissioner Smith asked if she had any recall on what it cost years
ago. Ms. Miller said she wasn't the project manager at the time.
Commissioner Krueger asked what is the process of gathering
information to justify these traffic circles when other states are
eliminating them now. Ms. Miller said the Department has a procedure to go
through and it's documented in order to obtain a roundabout justification
report. They go through several modeling types, they use SIDRA (a traffic
analysis model), that shows what a roundabout would be versus a signalized
or unsignalized intersection, traffic data has to be obtained, several
components go into this report and then it goes to the Traffic Operations
Department, who determine whether the roundabout is justified or not.
Commissioner Krueger said he was curious how the FDOT.....what they're
doing for that.....because it's about the size of the one they have in New
Jersey, with two lanes around it instead of four. Ms. Miller said the
Department has utilized the Treasure Coast Regional Planning (TCRPC) model,
in order to project the 20 year life expectancies, these roundabouts still
function at level of service A or B in 20 years.
Commissioner Krueger asked if they projected the growth of Port St.
Lucie, Western Martin County, all of Martin County and Northern Palm Beach
County that would be coming to our beaches and going over Hutchinson Island
using these. Ms. Miller said they used the latest TCRPC model.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked at what level of traffic counts on SR
A1A, at those intersections, do these circles begin to show failure. Ms.
Miller said she doesn't have the current traffic data with her. Mr. Roberts
put the Annual Daily Traffic data on the overhead screen. The Chair asked
when the counts were taken. Mr. Roberts pointed out the average for the year
and said they are taken at a minimum of 4 times per year, and pointed out a
count that is taken 365 days a year, totalling 18,000 cars per day crossing
the bridge. North Sewall's Point Road has approximately 7,300 cars per day
and 11,400 crossing the Ernst Lyons Bridge. Ms. Miller said she can provide
the 2025 counts.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked Mr. Roberts if he had traffic counts for
Confusion Corner. Mr. Roberts said no, he did not.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi clarified that they could not provide the
answer of what level these roundabouts may start to show signs of failure.
Ms. Miller said they have not projected out a number that would fail the
roundabouts. At their current projections for a 20 year life expectancy they
still function at a service level A or B.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if they took into consideration the
average age of the people in Martin County. Ms. Miller said the Department
takes into consideration signage, lighting, pavement markings, those kind of
issues. The design itself, utilizes State and Federal guidelines to take
into account elder use.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi noted that there was an article in the paper
saying there would be 90 signs in 200 feet.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked about the roundabouts level of service
during an evacuation. Ms. Miller said with persons helping the evacuation
route the level of service would not be a problem. There will be police and
other persons helping; you can utilize the roundabouts in both directions,
it does not preclude you from having 4-way access out of Hutchinson Island.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked how the level of service would be at
River Road with a roundabout compared to the type of intersection there now.
Ms. Miller said she does not have that information due to the fact the
Department was requested to put a signal at River Road. The Department was
basing its current plan versus the proposed change in plans from a signal to
a roundabout.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked for the current speed limit in Sewall's
Point. The crowd yelled out 40 mph.
Commissioner Armstrong asked if the $1.3 million is coming out of the
Martin County box funds. Ms. Miller said yes. Commissioner Armstrong asked
if the MPO were to reduce the scope of this project by some percentage,
would that free up additional funds for use at other transportation projects
in Martin County. Ms. Miller said it may, this project is State funded.
The Chair asked how much the roundabouts would cost compared to the
traffic signal. Ms. Miller said no, because the project is a combined effort
of all the different aspects of the projects. However, they do estimate at
this time that signalized intersections run approximately $140,000 for the
mast arms, conduits, etc.
The Chair said there would be the cost of maintaining the roundabouts.
Ms. Miller said the landscaping would be maintained by the Town of Sewall's
Point, there are obviously no mast arms or lights in that regard to
maintain, the roadway lighting would also be maintained by the Town of
Sewall's Point by a maintenance agreement. The roadway pavement is the
FDOT''s responsibility. The Chair said she would like the cost
differential between the mast arms and the roundabouts.
The Chair asked if they have looked at how to do ingress/regress into
the shopping plaza across the street from Harbour Bay. Ms. Miller said the
Department has never been requested to provide a left turn west to south
bound access into that shopping center. When the Town of Sewall's Point
requested the Department review providing an access point within that
median, they requested north side access only. The two driveways are offset
from one another and it is not possible with the configuration that we have
today to provide restricted access in both directions, we can only provide
it in one direction.
The Chair asked what studies have been done as to the feasibility of
the crosswalk. Ms. Miller said there has been no study conducted regarding
the feasibility of a pedestrian actuated crosswalk.
The Chair asked about someone coming to the roundabout from 40 mph.
Ms. Miller said they will be notified with due advance signage that they are
approaching a roundabout that has a speed limit of approximately 15-20 mph.
The Town of Sewall's Point and the Department have determined that they will
drop the speed limit within the Town to 30 mph.
Commissioner Smith said it wouldn't be any different from coming to a
complete stop at the other end of the bridge. Ms. Miller said that is
correct, you do have to stop at a signalized intersection at St. Lucie
Boulevard at the other end of the Evans Crary Bridge. Commissioner Smith
asked if that was from
40 mph. Ms. Miller said yes.
Commissioner Weberman asked, given our current
standards, when does the intersection at River Road fail. Mr. Roberts said
it does not become deficient based on our current standards.
Mr. Roberts said when looking at providing an eastbound left turn lane
into Harbour Bay, are they looking at relocating the pedestrian crosswalk.
Ms. Miller said they will have to modify that. Mr. Roberts asked if it was
still part of the project. Ms. Miller said at this time it is currently part
of the project.
The Chair asked, if the crosswalk was taken out, would it be possible
to do the left turn into the other shopping area. Ms. Miller said no, it
would not. That signalized crosswalk has no impact on whether we provide one
access point versus another. The Chair asked if there is any configuration
that would help to save that shopping center with a left turn. Ms. Miller
said the only way to maintain access to both the south and to the north
would be to have a non-divided section, a two-way left turn lane as it
currently exists today.
The following people voiced their opinion on the Roundabouts:
Herman Goodman Opposed, Lawrence Tadross Opposed, Rebecca Costello Opposed
, Stanley Beauchamp Opposed ,
Michael A. Bruno Opposed , Pam Busha In Favor Of , Allan Rubin Inconclusive, Louis Savini Opposed,Col. Ed Smith Opposed,
Armand Cifelli In Favor Of , Henry Milne Opposed, Robert Aune Opposed, Myrtle Herman Opposed, Richard Towne Opposed
,
Harvey Toback Opposed , Don Bills In Favor Of , Ellie Bills In Favor Of
, Karen Bannister Opposed ,
*** Commissioner DiTerlizzi said for the record the CPAC being
referred to is the "Citizens for Preservation of A1A Corridor".
Casey Martin Opposed , Vincent Cornell Opposed , Meriliz Cary In Favor Of
, James McMahon Opposed, Billy Escue Opposed
Bill Fricks Opposed , Don Gleichman Opposed .
Petition Against Roundabouts
Totals:
Sewall's Point 623
Jensen Beach 259
Hutchinson Island 66
Palm City 239
Stuart 729
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if this CPAC is affiliated with the CPAC
from the Stuart Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gleichman said none whatsoever, and
the monies reported in the Stuart News was inaccurate. Commissioner
DiTerlizzi asked what CPAC stood for. Mr. Escue said Committee for
Preservation of A1A Corridor.
*** Commissioner DiTerlizzi said for the record the CPAC from the
Chamber of Commerce is "Chamber Political Action Committee".
Tim Wright, representing the Town of Sewall's Point, gave a presentation
and provided handouts.
Joe Capra In Favor Of ,Michael Busha In Favor Of .
At this point there were no further comments from the public.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked what land would be required for the
roundabouts versus intersection improvements without roundabouts. Ms. Miller
said the Department has not gone through and done a full analysis of right
of way acquisition since the early 90's regarding signalized intersections
versus roundabouts. However, roundabouts require additional land at the
actual corners although normally an expanded intersection requires corner
clips or corner acquisition. More is required during a rounabout
construction because you have to force traffic from the center. There may be
a need for property along North Sewall's Point Road in order to have two
receiver lanes that then merge into one lane. Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked
if that would be taken from the east side of North Sewall's Point Road. Ms.
Miller said they would have to determine which would be the appropriate
side.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if no roundabout is built at River Road
would FDOT require signalization at that intersection. Ms. Miller said the
Department would have to reevaluate the existing proposal for that
particular intersection. Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if FDOT would look to
the MPO for a recommendation. Ms. Miller said they would probably first go
to the Town of Sewall's Point with the information and if necessary they
would go to the MPO.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi said the attorney's for Sewall's Point said the
roundabouts are faster, isn't that contrary to the idea of traffic calming.
Ms. Miller said she can't answer for what the attorney said.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if there were other methods of traffic
calming that can be achieved that would do the same as two roundabouts. Ms.
Miller said the Department has looked into a variety of different types of
traffic calming, however on a state road, as opposed to city or county
streets, we are limited by different types of traffic calming. One type of
traffic calming that we do not do on state roads is speed bumps.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked about splitter islands. Ms. Miller said
splitter islands are what occurs at a roundabout, in order to reduce speed
you have to move somebody from their current headed direction, utilizing a
roundabout you actually have to change direction therefore you slow down to
make that modification.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked about the comment made that five
roundabouts are planned for Martin County, what designated roads are they.
Mr. Roberts said there are a couple going in the State System, one of them
on SR A1A and MacArthur Boulevard and the other is part of the plan with
regard to the Jensen Beach Causeway at SR A1A. There is one planned for Palm
City on the County Road system, and there are others we are considering for
the future. Commissioner DiTerlizzi said River Road is the only one at the
foot of a bridge. Mr. Roberts said yes.
Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Capra if he is contracted by the County, and
if so he must be qualified and equally competent. Mr. Capra concurred.
Commissioner Smith asked if, in both their opinions, technically, the
roundabouts function to meet all levels of service. Ms. Miller said yes. Mr.
Capra said yes.
Commissioner Krueger asked why Ms. Miller always goes back to the point
and concentrate on what a couple hundred people out of four/five hundred
people in Sewall's Point want, instead of taking consideration what all of
Martin County wants, the people in this county who use that road and
thoroughfare more than the citizens of Sewall's Point themselves. Ms. Miller
said the Department took that into consideration when the MPO was presented
with the plans showing two roundabouts and the MPO at that time unanimously
asked the Department to work with the Town of Sewall's Point to construct
their vision. Commissioner Krueger said he must have missed that meeting.
The Chair asked what the protocol would be to change the configuration of
the roadway. Ms. Miller said she assumes that if the MPO wishes for the
Department to make any modifications we would work with the MPO and the Town
of Sewall's Point, since the roadway is jurisdictionally in their town
limits, we would want to actively work with that commission, in order to
assure them as well as the MPO, that they have worked through all of the
issues with all the proper channels. It is the Departments responsibility to
insure, in this case, Martin County and the jurisdictional town, in this
case The Town of Sewall's Point, are fully aware of all the issues and have
agreed to the overall plan.
Commissioner Krueger asked if you get around the roundabouts in 35.7
seconds and the light takes 67.9. Ms. Miller said that was part of a
roundabout justification study that they conducted in early 1999, in order
to provide enough information for their traffic operations department to
review the justification for the roundabout.
Commissioner Krueger asked if Ms. Miller heard anything today that might
have changed her mind, such as you can't even get on half of the rounabouts
because you have two straight lanes of traffic going through it so fast that
the side lanes can't get on, the people sitting on the side will probably
take three times as long as the light would, where the light gives everybody
an equal chance to get through an intersection. Ms. Miller said it is her
understanding those people were discussing the New Jersey roundabouts.
*** Commissioner Armstrong said for the record that at the meeting
of April 17th Commissioner Krueger was absent.
Commissioner Armstrong asked if the $1.3 million
dollars cost of this project included the additional right of way costs. Ms.
Miller said no, that is construction dollars only. Commissioner Armstrong
asked what the additional right of way costs would be. Ms. Miller said she
does not have the final figure. We are in the process of working with all
the property owner so I do not have a number. Commissioner Armstrong asked
if she had an estimate. Ms. Miller said no, she would not want to say a
number and tell him inaccurately what they have programmed for that project.
Commissioner Armstrong asked if she could give him some order of magnitude
of what they are looking at for right of way acquisition costs. Ms. Miller
asked, order of magnitude in relation to? Commissioner Armstrong asked if it
was $100.00, is it $1,000.00 or a million dollars? Ms. Miller said she would
say it was closer to the million dollars, or more, than the $100 dollar
mark. Commissioner Armstrong said a general guesstimate is we are looking at
a plus or minus of a million dollars for the right of way. Ms. Miller said
that right of way monies do take into consideration all of the right of way
being acquired for both the Lyons Bridge and for the construction of the
roundabouts, it is a total dollar figure associated for both projects.
The Chair asked if that cost includes the lift station and relocation.
Ms. Miller said the lift station is a separate dollar figure, it is not
associated with right of way, it is associated with utilities because the
utility is currently within an easement; we are purchasing the property of
the easement, that utility has to be moved to another location.
The Chair said the cost is not $1.3 million, the cost will rise
substantially. Ms. Miller said that $1.3 million is just for construction.
There are engineering fees, acquisition fees, utility fees. That lift
station would need to be modified whether we expand the intersection or did
the roundabouts.
Commissioner Smith asked Commissioner Weberman what he proposes will
happen if the MPO sends a letter to FDOT opposing the roundabouts.
Commissioner Weberman said they will have to finish construction of the
Lyons Bridge and then figure out what to do at the intersection of Sewall's
Point Road and A1A, which is where we probably need intersection
improvements, but to do an entire project prefaced on putting a signal where
none is warranted is illogical.
* Commissioner Weberman moved to approve the MPO sending a letter to
FDOT opposing the Sewall's Point Roundabouts. Commissioner Krueger seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
Commissioner Armstrong asked for clarification of the motion
on the floor, that this motion is specific to Sewall's Point and not all
roundabouts that are being considered in Martin County. Commissioner
Weberman said yes, it would be specific to this project and I'll read
briefly what the letter could say: we are opposed to it because of lack of
community consensus, public safety concerns, lack of project need, it's a
non-elder ready function, doesn't support the business community, contrary
to access management standards and we have other funding priorities.
The Chair called for a fiive minute break.
9B. MPO RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING THE AIRPORT
MEMO: mpo01a.067
Ms. Kantamneni said that Mike Moon, Airport Director, has asked that
the MPO table this item until August and that is staff's
recommendation.
Comments from the Public:
Mr. John Ziegler, of Sewall's Point, voiced his opinion on this agenda
item.
* Commissioner Krueger moved to approve having
MPO Staff and Mike Moon, Airport Director, take their findings before the
other municipalities so they can have comments before they bring it back to
the MPO Board. Commissioner Smith seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
9C. SR 714 STATUS REPORT - GRADE SEPARATION FEASIBILITY AT DIXIE
HIGHWAY FEC
MEMO: mpo01a.068
Mr. Paul Lampley, FDOT, gave a presentation on the PD&E study.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if the plateau was alternative 2A. Mr.
Lampley said it is 2A & 2B. 2B is a modification where you would have ramps
going to Palm Beach Road. Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if it was a bridge
or a raised intersection going over the railroad tracks. Mr. Lampley said
there would be one single bridge, that would cross the FEC corridor. The
entire intersection at Dixie Highway and Monterey Road would be on a plateau
so it would be a raised intersection. Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if the
cost on that would be $60 million. Mr. Lamplely said yes, $60 million for
total right of way and construction costs. Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked
where the money would come from. Mr. Lampley said the MPO would have to
prioritize the projects based on their needs.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if they chose alternative 2A for example,
could the extra funds be allocated to the Indian Street Bridge. Mr. Lampley
said there are no funds for the intersection currently. There are also no
funds allocated in the 5-year work program for the at-grade intersection.
There may be opportunity based on the priority of the MPO to bring it into
the 6th year.
Commissioner Smith asked what we are short in the current MPO 5 year
plan, is it $30/$40 million. Mr. Roberts said yes approximately,
particularly since we're still looking for funding for the Indian Street
Bridge, which is still an un-funded project. Special allocation will have to
be made for that project as well. Commissioner Smith said, special from FDOT.
Mr. Roberts said that is correct. Mr. Donaldson said in the 2025 plan it is
in the Cost Feasible plan as to be funded, however the MPO adopted a second
plan that assumed that they would find an alternative funding source which
allows other projects in the Long Range Plan to be funded. The PD&E study is
the only thing that's funded for this particular project. In any alternative
there isn't construction allocation. From staff's perspective, timing will
become an issue, but the MPO needs to give some direction to FDOT.
Commission Weberman opened discussion regarding the possibility of the
Gruman extension, right before the FEC railroad tracks, and extending it to
CR A1A, with the possibility of punching through 10th Street.
Commissioner Armstrong asked what ability the local government or FDOT
have, to restrict when the switch engineer does his work in this corridor.
Mr. Lampley did not directly answer the question. He said their traffic
analysis did look at a six minute closure of the intersection, where the
train was stopping the traffic for six minutes, in the year 2002 , which was
a design year, and it does create a total failure of the intersection and
backs traffic up through US1.
Commissioner Krueger said he thought there was a law that they couldn't
close all crossings in a city at one time. Mr. Lampley said there are other
municipalities that he is aware of, such as Riviera Beach, who have passed
local ordinances that would prohibit a train from blocking a crossing, that
would give the local police the authority to make that train move.
The Chair asked if there were dollars budgeted previously to have this
reviewed and to have it constructed. Mr. Donaldson said no, it was just for
the study, and there are dollars that have been appropriated for the four-laning
of Monterey, but not for this particular intersection improvement.
The Chair asked if the MPO would have any influence with FEC regarding
the timing of the switching. Mr. Roberts said the reason staff is really
looking at this is that a train does block off several of these
intersections. We are looking for this to be the major corridor to the beach
area.
Commissioner Weberman asked how he would get talking to FEC into
someone's assignment so that FDOT, Don or Gary is working on it. The Chair
said since FDOT is working on this study, and they are paying for it as
well, perhaps they can open up dialogue with FEC.
The Chair asked if this includes the intersection construction. Mr.
Lampley said yes it does, the second line on the graph shows the
intersection costs. The Chair asked if any money was available through the
state to help with this project. Mr. Lampley said currently there is a JPA
that's going to be executed with the County to take the two-lane section by
the YMCA and make it a four-lane. Also, FDOT is going to fund that post
construction and reimburse the county for that project. US-1 to Ocean Avenue
is funded for design once they get location design concept approval from
Federal Highway. There is the opportunity to go ahead and fund for
construction but it will be past the adopted 5-year work program.
The Chair asked if those dollars would come out of the program for the
Indian Street Bridge. Mr. Donaldson said no, you would be competing with
other priorities in the County. Realistically, this can get to a design
phase and construction and right of way acquisition in probably the next
three years, but there isn't funding in our normal cycle at this point for
at least 10 years. Some of the roadway improvements are already in our work
program, those are the 4-laning of Monterey and we'll try to work some
intersection improvements; that's what we have our consultants working on,
which we'll try to seek reimbursement for. As far as solving this problem at
the railroad tracks and US-1, it's some years out as far as actually funding
it, unless some special appropriation drops in and solves our Indian Street
Bridge problem, then we would have funding for some of these projects.
* Commissioner Weberman moved to approve at grade, have FDOT
continue investigating at grade alternatives, which include possible
improvements of FEC railroad switching operations, and to continue
investigating funding alternatives. Commissioner Krueger seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
9D. FY 2001/02 2005/06 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
MEMO: mpo01a.069
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if "Construct Administration Center", is
for the Council on Aging. Ms. Kantamneni said yes, it is.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked about Willoughby from Salerno to Cove
Road, beyond 2006, isn't that under construction now. Commissioner Weberman
said that was 4-laning, from Market Place to Cove.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if Market Place to Salerno is another
leg of that project. Mr. Donaldson said no it is included as one.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi said that needs to be corrected.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked staff to do a better job of
identifying these from now on.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi said SR 714/Mapp Road intersection
improvements shows current phase construction, are we looking at 2005/06.
Mr. Roberts said there is some money in the program for right of way
acquisition. Commissioner DiTerlizzi said it was possible that we gave away
some of the right of way on this intersection, to one of the four corners,
and now we may have to buy it back.
*** Commissioner DiTerlizzi said for the record that we shouldn't be
giving any right of way to anybody with the consideration that we may have
to buy it back.
The Chair asked staff to bring back the
information on that right of way for informational purposes.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi asked if the Western Corridor is under design.
Mr. Roberts said we are in the process of finalizing the report and then we
will go to design.
Commissioner DiTerlizzi mentioned that a developer may be building a
turnpike interchange and wonders if we shouldn't hold off on spending any
large expenditures on design of that corridor if this interchange is
actually going to be built. Mr. Roberts said he has talked to the turnpike
briefly, in regard to that matter, and they have not been contacted by the
developer yet; they have indicated that they have some real issues or
problems, particularly in regard to the cost estimates that the developer
has put forward. One of the major issues is that they don't usually build
turnpike interchanges on a 2-lane road, so there are some hurdles the
developer is going to have to go through in order to build and construct the
turnpike interchange anyplace within the immediate future.
The Chair asked about Edison to Willoughby, would that be in the TIP.
Mr. Donaldson said it's in the CIP. The Chair asked when the other part of
the roadway from US-1 to Willoughby will be shown. Mr. Donaldson said that
was in the beyond category. Mr. Roberts said he can't remember what the
status is but it was one of the considerations they had in the 2025 Long
Range Plan. Mr. Donaldson said he doesn't think it made it, for funding
reasons, in the Cost Feasible Plan. Mr. Roberts said it is shown in the
County's CIP, scheduled for design in 2002.
Commissioner Smith asked if the enhancement projects were fully
funded. Ms. Kantamneni said they are.
Commissioner Smith asked for expansion on the traffic calming features
listed under enhancements, regarding Bridge Road. Mr. Roberts said they are
going through the design process in regard to the various years, so it is
design at this point, in regard to the project.
The Chair said they need at least 3 gateways, one on both sides of
US-1 north and south, and one on SR 76; how can it get put into the TIP. Mr.
Donaldson said that is a CIP discussion. The Chair asked if the MPO had to
approve that first. Commissioner DiTerlizzi said Mr. Blackburn is going to
put that in the budget this year for funding, I believe he said one gateway
per year. Commissioner DiTerlizzi said this is not an MPO function, it is
the function of the BCC. The Chair said she wants it to be in the TIP.
Mr. Blackburn said the budget at this point contains two gateways, one
on US-1 south and one on US-1 north. However, since we've had some slight
increase in the assessable base, the board may want to consider another
county gateway and the ideal location would be Kanner Highway.
The Chair asked where the MPO could put this in, and then it could be
brought before the BCC as well.
Mr. Donaldson said he doesn't know if it's necessary to forward that
onto the FDOT as part of the adopted work program but we can certainly
include it as an amendment, once we get inclusion from the Board of County
Commissioners.
Commissioner Smith asked what is involved in traffic calming for 2002.
Mr. Roberts said westbound on Bridge Road at the Mobil gas station there is
a lack of right of way and we are looking to get in a right turn lane as
part of an intersection improvement. It's not really traffic calming, it's
more like traffic operation.
Commissioner Smith asked if the 25 acre conservation easement was
something that was transferred out of the construction project. Commissioner
Weberman said they went through their permitting process and the final
permits to five lane the project included this 23-1/2 conservation easement.
So it's already been recorded, it's like permitting in advance, we may be
able to get some credits for it but it's a holdover from the 5-laning of the
A1A project which isn't even on the books anymore.
The Chair asked if the funding for Bridge Road, on R-3 would come from
FDOT or could it, since they are doing roadway improvements. Mr. Roberts
said it's strictly on Bridge Road and is now part of the resurfacing
project. Commissioner Weberman clarified that it is Bridge Road from Banner
Lake to US-1; he is funding the design of it, strictly with district funds,
and once they get the deign done he will let it compete with all other
projects. Any improvements at Bridge Road and US-1 should be state funded,
it shouldn't come from impact fees. Mr. Roberts clarified that this is a
right turn specifically on Bridge Road, it's not in the state system, there
is right of way acquisition that needs to be acquired. Commissioner Weberman
concurred.
Commissioner Weberman said he was going to fund the gateway design on
Bridge Road out of district funds, and then it will have to compete.
* Commissioner Weberman moved to transmit the Transportation
Improvement Program to FDOT. Commissioner Smith seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
9E. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF THE 2001/2002
TRANSPORTATION DISADVANTAGED PLANNING GRANT APPLICATION
MEMO: mpo01a.061
* Commissioner DiTerlizzi moved to accept staff's recommendation,
which is to authorize the Chair to execute the authorizing resolution for
the grant. Commissioner Krueger seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
9F. RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AMTRAK PASSENGER
SERVICE
MEMO: mpo01m.042
* Commissioner Krueger moved to approve the Resolution Supporting
the Establishment of AMTRAK Passenger Service. Mayor Rifkin seconded.
** The vote was unanimous.
9. NOTED ITEMS
A. Letter from FDOT to Dennis C. Johnson
B. Letter from FDOT to Commissioner Armstrong re: Presentation on 4/24/01
C. Letter from FDOT to Sivani Kantamneni re: Bicycle Safety Program, with
attachments
D. Letter from MPOAC
E. Letter from FDOT to Gary Roberts re: SR-714 at SR-76
F. Email from Joseph Klinger
G. Letter from the City of Stuart re: Resolution 79-2001 addressing
airport noise, with copy of resolution
10. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC
There were no additional comments from the public
11. NEXT MEETING
August 20, 2001
12. ADJOURN
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 P.M.
Recorded and Prepared by:
Tamara L. Pake, Programs Assistant Date
Commissioner Elmira R. Gainey, Chair Date
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