LTC 534-2018 Update on the Florida Department of Transportation Installation of Flashing Beacons on the MacArthur Causeway Approaching the Intersection of Fountain Street f\AIAM BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 534-2018 I LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City G;pmmission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager -
DATE: October 9, 2018
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE FLORI ' DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
INSTALLATION OF FLASHING BEACONS ON THE MACARTHUR CAUSEWAY
APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION OF FOUNTAIN STREET
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to provide an update on the status of a
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) safety improvement on the MacArthur Causeway
consisting of installation of flashing beacons approaching Fountain Street.
The intersection of MacArthur Causeway and Fountain Street is one of the intersections in the
City with a high crash rate and severity index (crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities).
Factors contributing to these statistics include speeding during non-peak hours and drivers not
expecting a signalized intersection at Fountain Street.
In an effort to address these serious safety concerns, in 2014, the City of Miami Beach
Transportation Department submitted a request to FDOT to conduct a safety review and
consider reducing the speed limit on the MacArthur Causeway within city limits. In addition, the
City requested that FDOT install "Prepare To Stop" Flashing Beacons in both directions in
advance of the Fountain Street intersection to warn drivers of the traffic signal ahead. Pursuant
to the City's request, FDOT approved lowering the speed limit from 45 MPH to 40 MPH in the
section between Bridge Road (Star Island) and Fountain Street (Palm Island) and installed the
lower speed limit signs in 2014.
In addition to lowering the speed limit, FDOT commenced the installation of the flashing
beacons in June 2018; however, the work was temporarily paused when the MacArthur
Causeway East Bridge Rehabilitation Project began in order to not exacerbate traffic congestion
on the MacArthur Causeway. The project consists of the installation of flashing beacons to
warn to drivers as they approach Fountain Street from both directions along the MacArthur
Causeway. The beacons will be automatically activated (flashing yellow) when the traffic signal
at Fountain Street changes from green to amber/red. The flashing beacons are supplemented
by signage alerting drivers to '`BE PREPARED TO STOP WHEN FLASHING". The flashing
beacons will be located approximately 900 feet in advance of the intersection and will alert
motorists as they approach the intersection, increase awareness, and are anticipated to reduce
crashes at the intersection.
FDOT resumed the installation of the flashing beacons on September 24, 2018 and is expected
to be completed by the end of October 2018. This work will also include a flashing beacon on
LTC- Update on FDOT Installation of Flashing Beacons at MacArthur Causeway/Fountain Street Intersection
October 9, 2018
Page 2
eastbound MacArthur Causeway approaching the intersection of Alton Road. The FDOT
contractor will need to conduct intermittent closures on the westbound and eastbound lanes of
the MacArthur Causeway for directional boring between 9:00AM and 3:30PM.
City staff will continue to monitor this project and provide additional updates as necessary via
LTC.
Pleas do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
JLM/K B/JRG/JFD/WRP
F:\TRAN\$ALL\LTC\LTC- FDOT MacArthur Cswy Flashers Installation Project Update.docx