LTC 231-2017 Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Quarterly UpdateMIAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 231-2017
TER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members of he City Co f ission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: May 4, 2017
SUBJECT: TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLA(TMP) QUARTERLY UPDATE
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to provide an update on the status of the City
of Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan projects since the Plan's adoption on April 13, 2016.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Related Improvements
Green Bicycle Lanes
The Transportation Department has pursued the implementation of green bicycle lanes as part
of a growing bicycle network. There have been seven (7) projects completed totaling 31,000
linear feet for bike lanes on both sides of the road in the following neighborhoods:
• Alton Road, from South Pointe Drive to 5th Street, including South Pointe Drive from
Alton Road to Ocean Drive (3,924 ft);
• Prairie Avenue from 34 Street to 44 Street (3,076 ft);
• Royal Palm Avenue from 42 Street to 47 Street (4,532 ft);
• 47 Street from Pine Tree Drive to Alton Road (4,688 ft);
• Ocean Drive from 5 Street to South Pointe Drive (3,784 ft);
• Dickens Avenue from 71 Street to 79 Street (4,646 ft); and
• Byron Avenue from 82 Street to 87 Terrace (3,560 ft).
The Venetian Causeway green bicycle lanes are anticipated to be implemented later this year.
Protected Bicycle Lanes
The design of the Euclid Avenue protected bicycle lanes from 5th Street to 16th Street is at 60%
completion. The protected bicycle lane is proposed to include modular separators to help
separate on -street parking and bicycle lanes.
Demonstration Projects
Two (2) demonstration projects are being initiated in the North Beach area to improve bicycle
and pedestrian mobility. A temporary pedestrian plaza is being planned for Rue Vendome.
Protected bicycle lanes are being planned for 72nd and 73rd Streets between Dickens Avenue
and Collins Avenue. The demonstration projects are anticipated to be installed for 3-12 months.
Bicycle -Pedestrian Counts
Miami Beach is partnering with the University of Miami to test an innovative way to count
bicycles and pedestrians at targeted locations in the City, primarily beachwalk and other shared
LTC- City of Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan Quarterly Update
May 4, 2017
Page 2
Complete Streets
Two (2) Complete Streets Feasibility Studies have been initiated for 63rd Street from Alton Road
to Collins Avenue and for 23rd Street from Dade Blvd. to Collins Avenue. The studies are
anticipated to be completed in October 2017.
Neighborhood Greenways
Six (6) Neighborhood Greenways Feasibility Studies have been initiated in the North Beach
area. Neighborhood Greenways are streets where cars are not excluded but bicycle and
pedestrian travel for all ages and skill levels is given priority. This is done through lower
vehicular traffic speeds and an enhanced bicycle and pedestrian experience. The studies are
anticipated to be completed in October 2017. Target locations are:
• Bay Drive between east and west intersections with 71 Street;
• North Bay Road between LaGorce Island Bridge and 20 Street;
• 85th Street between Hawthorne Avenue and Collins Avenue;
• 81st Street between Hawthorne Avenue and Collins Avenue;
• 77th Street between Hawthorne Avenue and Collins Avenue; and
• Tatum Waterway between 77th Street and 81st Street.
Pedestrian Priority Zones (PPZs)
Two (2) Feasibility Studies for Pedestrian Priority Zones (PPZ) have been initiated in the South
Beach area. PPZs are areas where pedestrian focused design guidelines and standards apply
on all streets, creating an integrated network of roadways and intermodal hubs that enhance
safe pedestrian travel and movement. The studies are anticipated to be completed in October
2017.
Target PPZ locations are: South of 5th Street Neighborhood and the Flamingo Neighborhood/
Entertainment District.
Safe Routes to School
In 2016, the City was awarded FDOT funding for design and construction of Safe Routes to
School elements. Selected schools are: Feinberg Fisher K-8 Center, North Beach Elementary
School, Nautilus Middle School, and Biscayne Elementary School. The design plans for bicycle
and pedestrian route improvements to these schools have been completed and accepted by
FDOT. A community meeting was held April 25 at the Miami Beach Golf Club to update
residents on the design elements. Construction completion is anticipated by the end of 2017.
Transit Related Improvements
Intermodal Studies
In April 2017, Transportation completed the Middle Beach Intermodal Center Site Feasibility
Analysis, exploring the feasibility of building an intermodal center in the Julia Tuttle Causeway
adjacent to Alton Road.
FDOT suggested pursuing an Interchange Modification Report as a next step toward the Middle
beach Intermodal Center. The methodology for the report is being developed, and should be
completed in July 2017.
LTC- City of Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan Quarterly Update
May 4, 2017
Page 3
In addition, an Intermodal Hubs Feasibility Study was funded by the Miami -Dade Transportation
Planning Organization and initiated in January 2017 to document intermodal hub planning
efforts for North Beach, Middle Beach, and South Beach, with a primary focus on North Beach.
Study completion is expected in January 2018.
Light Rail/Modern Street Car
Pursuant to City Commission Resolution 2016-29690 adopted at the December 2016 meeting,
staff continues to collaborate with the Miami -Dade Department of Transportation and Public
Works (DTPW) as well as the Transportation Planning Organization to investigate opportunities
for Federal funding. In compliance with the Commission direction, we have temporarily
suspended conversations with the P3 developer until Miami -Dade County puts forth a binding
commitment to build the MacArthur Causeway Connection. Staff and consultants are continuing
to complete draft environmental documents including review comments from Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) and City staff. This draft document will not be published
until final Federal Transit Administration (FTA) guidance is received to ensure that any
opportunity for Federal funding is not jeopardized.
Trolley Routes
Since the adoption of the Transportation Master Plan, the Middle Beach Trolley Loop and
Collins Link Trolley have been launched. The Middle Beach Trolley Loop began service on
November 22, 2016 and has approximately 3,400 riders per day. The Collins Link Trolley was
launched on December 22, 2016 and has approximately 3,000 riders per day. With the
implementation of these two trolley routes, the City has created an interconnected trolley
system.
Water Taxi
On April 30, 2016, the City Commission adopted Resolution No. 2016-29370 approving a water
taxi pilot program (pursuant to ITN No. 2014 -326 -JR) with Water Taxi Miami, Inc. for a term of
one (1) year serving the Purdy Avenue Dock, Sea Isle Marina, Bayside Marketplace, and Miami
Beach Marina. Revenue service began in January 2017, and served 233 passengers between
January and March. The water taxi pilot service operates Friday through Sunday.
Currently, the water taxi service is using one of the existing docks at Purdy for its operation.
Funding has been allocated for the design and construction of a dock for motorized vessels and
kayak launch at Purdy Avenue Dock. The new dock for motorized vessels will be used for water
taxi operation. The design of the new dock has been completed and construction of the seawall,
a prerequisite for the new dock, is currently underway. The construction of the dock and kayak
launch is anticipated to be completed by end of August, 2017. At that time, the Administration
would recommend that a new solicitation be issued for public waterborne transportation
services.
Automotive Related Improvements
Intelligent Transportation System Implementation
In late 2016, the City issued a solicitation for Design, Build, Operation, and Maintenance
Services for an Intelligent Transportation System Project and a Smart Parking System (ITS and
SPS) Project. The solicitation is a two-phase Request for Proposals and recommendation for
award is anticipated to be presented to City Commission for approval in July 2017.
LTC- City of Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan Quarterly Update
May 4, 2017
Page 4
The ITS and SPS project will significantly enhance the City's Traffic Monitoring and
Management program and allow staff to predict and adjust to traffic congestion and incidents. In
addition, the project will enhance the City's resiliency. Phase I is anticipated to be completed in
2018.
Phase 1 of the ITS/SPS project addresses routes to the Miami Beach Convention Center:
e
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MacArthur Causeway;
Alton Road (5th Street to 41st Street;
Julia Tuttle Causeway;
Dade Boulevard; and
17th Street.
This phase includes the installation of High Definition Traffic Monitoring Cameras, Travel -Time
Data Collectors, Volume Data Collectors, Traffic Digital Message Boards City-wide, and Smart
Parking Technology for garages along the Phase I corridors.
Funding for Phase 2 and 3 has been submitted for consideration as part of the FY 2017/18
capital budget development process.
Phase 2 includes:
e
e
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5th Street
41st Street
Washington Avenue
Phase 3 includes:
e
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•
Collins Avenue- 23rd Street to 44th Street
Indian Creek Drive/Collins Avenue- 44th Street to City Limits
Alton Road- 41st Street to 63rd Street
Neighborhood Traffic Calming Studies
Pursuant to City Commission direction, the Nautilus and Central Bayshore traffic calming
studies were completed and has been submitted for consideration as part of the FY 2017/18
capital budget development process. The recommended traffic calming measures include traffic
circles, and raised crosswalks, among other devices, based upon the traffic calming strategies
identified in the Street Design Guidelines adopted by the City Commission in conjunction with
the Transportation Master Plan.
Traffic Signal Optimization
Through the FDOT signal retiming program, Indian Creek Drive/Harding Avenue/Abbott Avenue
has been optimized between 85th Street and 63rd Street. The project was completed in the fall
of 2016 by FDOT. The City is working with FDOT to revisit this project to identify additional
improvements. FDOT is currently working on retiming the 5th Street corridor and the Collins
Avenue corridor in South Beach.
With the addition of a City of Miami Beach Traffic Signal Engineer, the City has performed signal
timing improvements at the following locations/corridors:
• 41st Street at Collins Avenue and Indian Creek (Coordination Improvement);
LTC- City of Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan Quarterly Update
May 4, 2017
Page 5
• West Avenue and 17th Street (Work Zone Signal Management);
• 71st Street (Mid -Day Peak Hour Retiming);
• 41st Street (weekend retiming); and
• Alton Road from 5th Street to Michigan Avenue (retiming).
In addition, the City is currently working with FDOT on the traffic signal retiming of MacArthur
Causeway/5th Street from Fountain Street to Collins Avenue and on Collins Avenue from Stn
Street to 23rd Street.
Traffic Operational Studies
Four (4) studies have been initiated to improve traffic flow at the following critical intersections:
• Alton and 17th Street;
• Intersections of 41st Street/Indian Creek Drive and 41st Street/Collins Avenue;
• Intersection of 63rd Street/Indian Creek Drive; and
• Alton and Bay Road/Chase.
The studies are anticipated to be completed in October 2017. While these studies are focused
on improving vehicular traffic flow, thorough consideration is also being given to ensuring safe
and convenient pedestrian and bicycle access at these critical junctures in our city.
Traffic Operational Improvements
A new left turn lane at the Collins Avenue and 44th Street intersection was achieved by
repurposing one of the right turn lanes.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
J LM/KGB/J RGMVAB/LKW/AS
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