LTC 198-2018 FDOT Collins Avenue Safety Project From the 4700 Block to the 5800 BlockACF
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC #
198-2018
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members o the City (. ommjsion
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales,City_ Manager
DATE: April 16, 2018
SUBJECT: FDOT COLLINS AVENUE SAFETY PROJECT FROM THE 4700 BLOCK TO THE
5800 BLOCK
LETTER TO COMMISSION
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (LTC) is to provide an update on the City's recent
coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) regarding various
outstanding concerns associated with FDOT's design for the proposed roadway safety project
along Collins Avenue between the 4700 Block and 5800 Block.
FDOT is currently developing design plans for a Safety Project along Collins Avenue between
the 4700 Block and 5800 Block. The safety project is intended to reduce crashes related to the
ingress and egress on the frontage road. The FDOT project is predicated on a safety study
which concluded that under the current conditions, many crashes are occurring due to the U -
Turns performed from the frontage road. As part of the safety project, FDOT is proposing
significant modifications to the access points on the frontage road and eliminating U -Turns from
the frontage road by way of creating new intersections whereby U -Turns could be made from
mainline Collins Avenue rather than from the frontage road.
While these modifications are intended to reduce accidents resulting from U -Turns, the current
design proposes to reduce the number of signalized intersections, including pedestrian
crosswalks, from ten (10) to five (5). City staff has major concerns with FDOT's proposed
reduction of signalized intersections, including the impact to safe pedestrian crossings and lack
of pedestrian connectivity along the corridor as well as the potential for higher speeds along the
corridor due to fewer signalized intersections. The City's Transportation Department staff
participated in a walk -though of the project corridor with MBNA representatives in February
2018 to corroborate the concerns with pedestrian connectivity and safety. The MBNA is in full
agreement with City staff in terms of the above concerns.
Following a meeting on February 28, 2018 between Miami Beach Transportation Department
staff and FDOT staff to discuss the community concerns and the City's vision for the Collins
Avenue corridor as recommended in the City's Adopted Transportation Master Plan, FDOT
agreed to review the possibility of not reducing crosswalks (Le. retaining the existing 10
crosswalks). This would not change FDOT's proposed modifications to the frontage road. In
addition to requesting that, at a minimum, all existing crosswalks be retained, the City has
requested that FDOT 1) narrow the width of the travel lanes on Collins Avenue from 11 feet to
10 feet in order to help reduce vehicular speeds (currently 35 miles per hour posted speed); 2)
incorporate dedicated transit lanes along the project corridor; and 3) explore the possibility of
Letter to Commission RE: FDOT Collins Avenue Safety Project From 4400 Block to 5800 Block
Page 2
April 12, 2018
including bicycle lanes along the project corridor.
FDOT conducted a Public Hearing on March 14, 2018 at the Shane Rowing Center to discuss
the project design. At the meeting, various residents and representatives from the MBNA
expressed concerns with the proposed project in terms of access management, reduction of
crosswalks, speeding, and pedestrian safety and connectivity. Currently, the FDOT project is at
60% design stage and is scheduled for construction in 2023. The preliminary construction cost
has been estimated at $17,400,000.
City staff will continue to work with FDOT and advocate that the City's and the community's
concerns be addressed through the design development process. Additional updates will be
provided via LTC.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Att. ment: FDOT Collins Avenue Safety Project Fact Sheet
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F:\TRAN\$ALL\LTC\LTC - FDOT Collins Avenue Safety Project - 4700 Block to 5800 Block1.docx
FDOT
PROJECT FACT SHEET
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT SIX
State Road (SR) A1A/Collins Avenue
From the 4700 Block to the 5800 Block
Project Identification Number: 434773-1-52-01
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District Six, is developing the design for a safety roadway project along SR A1A/Collins
Avenue from the 4700 Block to the 5800 Block, in Miami -Dade County.
c signals, pedestrian features, signalized
et lights and roadway signs
hsfairing illum rated street signs and speed feedback
signs
• Installing new pavement markings
• Installing a new pump station at the 5300 Block
• Installing new water mains for the City of Miami Beach
PROJECT DATES
Work is expected to last approximately two years and the
construction start date is April 2023. Please note that the
construction schedule is subject to change.
JI�j �Q$TRUCTIO
W'orkwll b`e One in- phases to reduce the effects of construction
on the community. Traffic lanes and sidewalks will be closed at
times for safety reasons.
MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC
Lanes closures and sidewalk closures to install drainage and water
mains will be required. Access to streets and adjacent properties
will be maintained at all times.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE:
In order to offer you the opportunity to review the projects' design we invite you to join us:
TIME AND DATE:
LOCATION:
6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Shane Center Miami Beach
6500 Indian Creek Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33141
The hearing will begin as an open house, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a formal presentation starting at 6:30 p.m. Graphic displays will be shown and FDOT
representatives will be available to discuss the project and answer questions. Public participation at this meeting is solicited without regard to race, color,
national origin, age, gender, religion, disability or family status. Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring
special accommodations to participate in this workshop is asked to advise the agency at least 7 days before the workshop by contacting: Hong Benitez at
(305) 470-5219 or in writing: FDOT, 1000 N.W. 111 Avenue, Miami, FL 33172, email: Hong.Benitez@dot.state.fl.us. If you are hearing or speech impaired,
please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1 (800) 955-8770 (Voice).
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have any questions or comments, please contact FDOT Public Information Specialist
Jeanette Gorgas by telephone at (786) 239-8862 or by email at jgorgas@mrgmiami.com.
Please let us know how you prefer to receive information about future projects (mail, email, or
other). Your comments are important to us. Please visit our website:
www.fdotmiamidade.com. Thank you for your participation,
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1000 NW 111 Avenue, Miami, FL 33172