| | | | | | | | | TO: | Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | April 28, 2021
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING THE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AT THE INTERSECTION OF ALTON ROAD AND CHASE AVENUE |
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| At the March 17, 2021 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Steven Meiner referred a discussion item to the Neighborhood and Quality of Life Committee 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 Alton 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
- Restripe the pavement markings on the Julia Tuttle off-ramp for southbound Alton Road approaching the crosswalk (completed)
FDOT has completed the design and permitting of the above proposed improvements and is issuing a notice-to-proceed to a contractor for construction of the pending items. More recently, staff requested that FDOT install "Signal Ahead” signs in both directions of Alton Road approaching the Chase Avenue intersection. City staff has requested that FDOT expedite the implementation of these improvements. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| In preparation for this item, Transportation and Mobility Department staff reviewed pedestrian and bicycle accident data for this intersection for the past five (5) years and found that there were no reported pedestrian or bicycle crashes. It is important to note that crashes are not the only indicator of pedestrian safety and comfort at an intersection. Speed, roadway alignment, and visibility are also key factors affecting pedestrian safety. Staff also identified various vehicular crashes that occurred within the past 5 years which could be attributed to vehicular speeding.
In addition to the FDOT improvements, the City is currently commencing 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. Construction is scheduled to be completed in July 2023. In addition, FDOT is working on the design of the Alton Road Reconstruction Project which includes a new shared-use path on the east side of Alton Road between Michigan Avenue and Chase Avenue adjacent to the Miami Beach Golf Course (and connecting to the proposed Chase Avenue/34 Street shared-use path mentioned above). These shared-use path improvements will bring more pedestrians and bicyclists to the intersection of Alton Road and Chase Avenue. As such, Transportation and Mobility Department staff will work closely with FDOT to explore opportunities and identify ways to implement safety measures to calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety at this intersection. |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
The intersection of Alton 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 in 2019, FDOT has completed a design for various improvements intended to calm traffic and enhance pedestrian safety at this intersection. FDOT is issuing a notice-to-proceed to a contractor for construction of the proposed improvements. In the mid-term, both the City and FDOT are working on infrastructure projects that include pedestrian and bicycle facilities and other safety improvements at this intersection.
The Transportation and Mobility Department staff will continue working with FDOT to expedite the implementation of the proposed safety improvements at this intersection in the immediate term.
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| | | | | | | | Applicable Area
| | Middle Beach |
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| | Mobility - Improve the walking and biking experience. |
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