Resolution 2021-31797 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-31797
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY
OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS APRIL 28, 2021 MEETING,
URGING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TO EXPEDITE THE RECOMMENDED PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF CHASE AVENUE
AND ALTON ROAD.
WHEREAS, at the March 17, 2021 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Steven
Meiner referred a discussion item to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC)
regarding pedestrian safety at the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue is a signalized intersection
under FDOT jurisdiction and currently has a limited number of crosswalks; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the City's request in 2019, FDOT agreed to implement the
following improvements: (1) installing two (2) electronic speed feedback signs in the southbound
direction of Alton Road to help reduce the speed of vehicles entering Alton Road from the Julia
Tuttle Causeway ramp; (2) installing one (1) "Pedestrian Crosswalk Ahead" sign in each direction
of Alton Road in advance of the crosswalk at Chase Avenue; (3) installing "Pedestrian Crosswalk
Signs" in both directions of Alton Road at the crosswalk on Alton Road and Chase Avenue; (4)
restriping the existing stamped asphalt crosswalk on the north leg of the intersection; and (5)
restriping the pavement markings on the Julia Tuttle off-ramp for southbound Alton Road
approaching the crosswalk (completed); and
WHEREAS, FDOT is in the process of identifying additional funding to schedule the
completion of the above proposed intersection safety improvements; and
WHEREAS, in addition, FDOT has approved the City's request for improved signage at
and approaching the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue, and FDOT is currently
designing and scheduling the installation of the following additional traffic safety enhancements:
(1) replacing two existing "Curve Left" warning signs just south of the Alton Road and Chase
Avenue intersection with two new curve warnings signs further south on Alton Road to alert
northbound motorists of the roadway curvature sufficiently in advance: (2) installing two new
"Traffic Signal Ahead" signs facing northbound traffic; and (3) installing retroreflective signal
backplates on all existing signal heads for all approaches at the intersection; and
WHEREAS, the City's Transportation and Mobility Department staff has implemented
automatic pedestrian phases at the intersection to eliminate the need for pedestrians to push the
button to cross Alton Road during the Sabbath, and will continue to work closely with FDOT to
expedite the recommended safety enhancements at the intersection; and
WHEREAS, additionally, the City is currently in the design phase of the Chase Avenue/34
Street Shared-Use Path Project which will add crosswalks on the south and east legs of the Alton
Road and Chase Avenue intersection to complete all four crosswalks and significantly improve
pedestrian safety at the intersection; and
WHEREAS, at the April 28, 2021 NQLC meeting, the City's Transportation and Mobility
Department staff advised the Committee that FDOT is in the process of providing a notice to
proceed to a contractor for implementation of the above improvements to the intersection of Alton
Road and Chase Avenue; however, FDOT has advised that it is identifying additional funding
needed for the installation of the two proposed electronic speed feedback signs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City Commission hereby accept
the recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee, at its April 28, 2021
Meeting, to urge the Florida Department of Transportation to expedite the recommended
pedestrian safety improvements at the Intersection of Chase Avenue and Alton Road
PASSED and ADOPTED this 28th day July, 2021.
ATTEST:
Dan Gelber, Mayor
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Rafae E. Gran.do, City Cle
:, ... APPROVED AS TO
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Date
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MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
DATE: July 28, 2021
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, AT ITS
APRIL 28, 2021 MEETING, URGING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION TO EXPEDITE THE RECOMMENDED PEDESTRIAN
SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF CHASE AVENUE
AND ALTON ROAD.
RECOMMENDATION
The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the resolution
accepting the recommendation of the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee, at its April
28, 2021 meeting, urging the Florida Department of Transportation to expedite the
recommended pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Chase Avenue and Alton
Road.
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
At the March 17, 2021 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Steven Meiner referred a
discussion item to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee (NQLC) regarding
pedestrian safety at the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue.
The intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue is a signalized intersection under the
jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The intersection currently has
crosswalks on the north leg and the west leg. Given that the southeast corner has no sidewalks,
no crosswalks currently exist on the south and east legs of the intersection.
In 2019, the City requested that FDOT implement speed calming and pedestrian improvements
at the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue to increase pedestrian safety and comfort.
At that time, FDOT agreed to implement the following improvements at the intersection:
• Install two (2) electronic speed feedback signs in the southbound direction of Alton Road to
help reduce the speed of vehicles entering Mon Road from the Julia Tuttle Causeway ramp
• Install one (1) "Pedestrian Crosswalk Ahead" sign in each direction of Alton Road in advance
of the crosswalk at Chase Avenue
• Install "Pedestrian Crosswalk Signs" in both directions of Alton Road at the crosswalk on Alton
Road and Chase Avenue
• Restripe the existing stamped asphalt crosswalk on the north leg of the intersection
Page 843 of 2012
• Restripe the pavement markings on the Julia Tuttle off-ramp for southbound Alton Road
approaching the crosswalk (completed)
In March 2021, following a request from Commissioner Steven Meiner's Office, staff requested
that FDOT explore the installation of a "Traffic Signal Ahead" sign on Alton Road northbound in
advance of the Chase Avenue traffic signal.
ANALYSIS
Update Since the April 28. 2021 NQLC Meeting
At the April 28, 2021 NQLC meeting, the Transportation and Mobility Department staff advised
the Committee that FDOT was in the process of providing a notice to proceed to a contractor
for the above safety improvements to the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue. Staff
has recently received an update from FDOT and the project is still moving forward; however,
FDOT advised that it is identifying additional funding needed for the installation of the two
proposed electronic speed feedback signs.
At the meeting, residents expressed concerns with the signal timing at the intersection not being
programmed in observance of the Sabbath. Staff has reviewed the signal timing from Friday
sundown to Saturday sundown and programmed automatic pedestrian phases (i.e. eliminating
the need for a pedestrian to push the button to cross Alton Road) on Fridays from 5:00 PM to
midnight and on Saturdays from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Staff has reviewed the modifications in
the field and found that the pedestrian programming is operating correctly at this time.
Additionally, FDOT has approved the City's request for improved signage at and approaching
the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue and is currently designing and scheduling the
installation of the following additional traffic safety enhancements:
• Replacing two existing "Curve Left" warning signs just south of the Alton Road and Chase
Avenue intersection with two new curve warnings signs further south on Mon Road to alert
northbound motorists of the roadway curvature sufficiently in advance
• Installing two new"Traffic Signal Ahead" signs facing northbound traffic
• Installing retroreflective signal backplates on all existing signal heads for all approaches at the
intersection
In addition to the FDOT improvements, the City is currently in the design phase for the Chase
Avenue/34 Street Shared-Use Path, a General Obligation Bond project. This project
proposes improvements to the Alton Road/Chase Avenue intersection including adding
crosswalks on the south and east legs to complete all four crosswalks at the
intersection. Project construction is scheduled to be completed in July 2023.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
Based on the 2019 Resident Survey, 17% of residents use walking as their primary mode of
transportation for trips within Miami Beach; 30% of residents use walking as their secondary mode of
transportation for trips within Miami Beach; 73% of residents are concerned or dissatisfied with
pedestrian safety(vehicles yielding to pedestrians)when crossing the street at an intersection.
CONCLUSION
The intersection of Mon Road and Chase Avenue is a signalized intersection under FDOT
jurisdiction and currently has a limited number of crosswalks. Pursuant to the City's request, FDOT
has completed design plans for various improvements intended to calm traffic and enhance
pedestrian safety at this intersection. FDOT is in the process of identifying additional funding to
schedule the completion of the proposed intersection safety improvements.
Page 844 of 2012
The Transportation and Mobility Department staff has implemented automatic pedestrian phases at
the intersection to eliminate the need for pedestrians to push the button to cross Alton Road during
the Sabbath and will continue to work closely with FDOT to expedite the recommended safety
enhancements at the intersection. Additionally, the City is currently in the design phase of the Chase
Avenue/34 Street Shared-Use Path project which will add crosswalks on the south and east legs to
complete all four crosswalks at this intersection and significantly improve pedestrian safety.
Applicable Area
Middle Beach
Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-14?
No No
Strategic Connection
Mobility- Improve the walking and biking experience.
Legislative Tracking
Transportation and Mobility
Sponsor
Commissioner Steven Meiner
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
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Page 845 of 2012
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