LTC 091-2008 63rd Street at Collins Avenue Intersection Improvementsm ~IAMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # o9i-Zoos LETTER TO COMIVIISSI~N
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: March 31, 2008
SUBJECT: 63`d Street at Collins Avenue Intersection Improvements
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide you with an update on the 63`d Street at
Collins Avenue intersection improvements. The traffic signal located at 63`d Street and Collins
Avenue has been operating in a yellow flashing mode as part of the Maintenance of Traffic (MOT)
plan for the FDOT 63`d Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project. As part of the MOT, this intersection
has been operating to provide a free flow north bound turning movement for east bound 63`d Street
traffic at the intersection of Collins Avenue. During routine field observations, the City noticed that
this MOT seemed to improve the Level of Service (LOS) at this intersection and the 63`d Street and
Indian Creek Drive intersection by virtue of the allowed north bound free flow movement.
Because a permanent northbound free flow movement was never considered by FDOT, the City
subsequently retained the services of Marlin Engineering, who was the Engineer of Record for the
63`d Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project to evaluate the current free flow operation and the feasibility
of keeping the current MOT as a permanent solution. In a draft report, Marlin Engineers
recommended to keep operating the intersection with a continuous flow (as it is currently operating)
rather than keeping the FDOT as-built traffic layout for which the intersection was originally
designed.
With these traffic findings, the City met with FDOT, Miami-Dade County, and Marlin Engineering to
determine the next steps for determining the final configuration of the subject intersection. At the
conclusion of this meeting, the traffic engineering authorities of both County and State, determined
that a revised study for the intersection of 63`d and Collins Avenue would be further warranted to
address some outstanding traffic engineering parameters. These parameters included making
improvements on the timing of signals with and without free flow condition; a review of the traffic
accident data for the intersections of 63`d at Indian Creek and Collins Avenue, and for 65'h at Indian
Creek and Collins Avenue; as well as any associated impacts to immediately surrounding
intersections.
Also, at the request of Commissioner Steinberg, a "Texas U-turn" (continuous left turn from Collins
to southbound Indian Creek at 63`d) would also be analyzed on the south side of 63`d Street from
Collins Avenue to Indian Creek Drive to provide for north bound Collins Avenue to west bound 63`d
Street turning movement, which is not allowed under the current configuration.
By May 23, 2008, following approval by both County and State officials, the City will sponsor a public
meeting on the intersection configurations in the interest of receiving public input and
recommendations. Subsequent to the public meeting and any City Commission guidance, a
reconfigured 63`d Street and Collins Avenue Intersection project could be completed in
approximately six (6) months. Anticipated funding for a reconfigured intersection has been included
in the draft Capital Budget for FY 2008/09. Should both FDOT and the County not recommend
LTC
March 31, 2008
63rd Street at Collins Avenue Intersection Improvements
Page 2 of 2
proceeding with the modifications of this intersection, the City will revert the intersection to its as-
built condition.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
/FV/XF/cl
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