LTC 221-2011 Venetian Causeway Bridges Project (PD&E) MIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
2011 SEP - 6 Ali 9: 27
NO. LTC # 221 -2011
TP, WN\ISSION
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: August 31, 2011 . jp
SUBJECT: Venetian Causeway Bridges Project Development and Environment (PD &E)
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide you with information on a proposed Project
Development and Environment (PD &E) Study that will evaluate the feasibility of rehabilitating or
replacing all the bridges on the Venetian Causeway.
The bridges along the causeway were originally built in 1926 with an anticipated design life of 50
years. The bridges have exceeded their design life by over 30 years and, in some cases, have been
classified as structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. The most recent Bridge Inspection
Reports (conducted between October - November 2009) yielded sufficiency ratings between 21.0 and
68.1 on a scale of 100.0 for the various bridges. These reports recommend the rehabilitation or
replacement of all the 12 existing bridges along the Venetian Causeway.
The total cost for the PD &E study is estimated at $1.75 million. The County and FDOT will be
contributing 50% each for this Project.
Staff contacted the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the agency who is managing the
PD &E study for Miami -Dade County. FDOT indicated that the purpose of this study is to examine
potential replacement or rehabilitation of the twelve bridges (10 low -level fixed spans and two
movable bascule bridges). Per the information provided to staff, the improvements are anticipated to
meet the following identified needs:
• Structural and functional deficiencies
The PD &E will study the possible replacement or rehabilitation of the functionally obsolete
structures that are rapidly deteriorating. This action will, in turn, reduce the escalating
maintenance costs that are projected to continue increasing if no corrective action occurs.
Pedestrian facilities will additionally be studied for opportunities to enhance safety and
connectivity.
• Transportation plan consistency
The Venetian Causeway Bridge project is identified in the Miami -Dade Metropolitan Planning
Organization's 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan as a Priority II - Priority III project. In
other words, the Planning and Design phases for this project will be funded in 2015 -2020
(Priority II), and the Construction phase will be funded in 2021 -2025 (Priority III). According
to the Florida Department of Community Affairs, bridge replacements are not considered
major capacity improvement projects; therefore, comprehensive plan consistency issues are
not applicable under these circumstances.
• Modal interrelationships
Sidewalks and bicycle lanes exist on both sides of the Venetian Causeway along the entire
corridor. Both the City of Miami and the City of Miami Beach Bicycle Master Plans identify
LTC - Venetian Causeway
August 31, 2011
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Venetian Causeway as a significant bicycle corridor as it serves as one of the County's most
well - traveled recreational and commuter bicycle routes. Pedestrian and bicycle mobility is
anticipated to be improved as a result of this project.
A Miami -Dade Transit bus route also operates along the causeway corridor, Route 101
Route A. This route connects the Omni Metromover / Bus Terminal adjacent to the
Performing Arts Center to Lincoln Road in South Beach. Bus service will not be impacted as
a result of this project.
• Emergency evacuation
The Venetian Causeway not only serves east/west travel between the City of Miami and the
City of Miami Beach, but it also serves regional travel as it is one of only two routes leading
from south Miami Beach that provides hurricane evacuation capabilities.
The bridges are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Given the historic nature of the
bridge, the PD &E Study will consider the rehabilitation option as part of the alternatives. The Scope
of Services will also state that if the bridges were to be replaced they would have to maintain the
aesthetic value and functional classification of the existing structures. The design will include but
not be limited to retaining the existing two -lane roadway and bridge reconfiguration, continuing toll
operations, replacing structures at their existing vertical elevations, maintaining existing aesthetic
features (handrails, arches, ect.), posting speed limits for a residential facility, and incorporating
bicycle paths and landscaping features.
The bridges are also locally designated in both the City of Miami Beach and the City of Miami. All
proposed major work is subject for review, coordination and approval by the respective local Historic
Preservation Boards.
FDOT will be working closely with the City and the community to address all concern and comments
throughout the PD &E Study through the implementation of a Public Involvement Plan. Residents,
business owners, and other stakeholders will have several opportunities to review project
information and participate in the decision making process. The public will be invited to attend public
meetings throughout the study to review and comment on the alternative conceptual designs of the
Project. At the end of the PD &E process, a public hearing is held to provide an official public forum
where all impacted stakeholders can express their concerns, opinions, and comments regarding the
Project. After the comments from the public hearing have been addressed, the analyses conducted
throughout the PD &E process and all public input are compiled into a Project Development
Summary Report (PDSR). The PDSR is submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for
Location and Design Concept Acceptance. Once this acceptance is received, the study phase of the
project will be complete. FDOT plans to advertise a request for qualifications to conduct a PD &E
study in September 2011 and to execute an agreement with the selected firm by March 2012.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or Fred Beckmann, Public Works Director
a n 6012.
D B /FH / /DF
F: \WORK\$ALL \(1) EMPLOYEE FOLDERS \Rick Saltrick \LTC's \LTC for venetian causeway 2.doc