The intersection of SR A1A/Harding Avenue and 87 Street in North Beach currently operates as a one-way stop-controlled T-intersection. The westbound approach on 87 Street is stop-controlled while Harding Avenue traffic is uncontrolled. Harding Avenue operates as a one-way Street in the southbound direction only and is classified as an urban principal arterial under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), while 87 street is classified as a local roadway. 87 street runs east-west with on-street parking on both sides and has one-way signs and stop signs on both westbound and eastbound approaches, allowing only westbound or eastbound left turns onto southbound Harding Avenue or northbound Collins Avenue, respectively.
The Stella Maris House elderly community living facility is adjacent to this intersection. The closest crosswalk to cross Harding Avenue is located 330 feet from the entrance to Stella Maris which results in a significant amount of jaywalking by elderly residents. In addition, Mater Academy is also adjacent to the intersection which results in additional jaywalking activity.
In 2013, the City requested that FDOT perform a warrant analysis for a signalized crosswalk at the intersection of Harding Avenue and 87 Street. FDOT conducted a study; however, a crosswalk was denied at that time because the intersection did not meet the minimum criteria to warrant a crosswalk. Following concerns with pedestrian safety crossing Harding Avenue at 87 Street, the City’s Senior Affairs Committee passed a motion requesting a crosswalk at the intersection.
At the April 10, 2019 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Michael Gongora sponsored Resolution No. 2019-30790 urging FDOT to re-evaluate the need for a crosswalk in the vicinity of Harding Avenue and 87 Street. Following the City Commission meeting, the Administration transmitted the resolution to the FDOT District Six Secretary for consideration.
Pursuant to the Commission resolution, FDOT completed a traffic engineering study which included turning movement counts, pedestrian counts, a review of crash data and crash analysis for the most recent five years of crash data available, field observations during the periods of highest pedestrian and vehicular demand, and an evaluation for installation of a mid-block pedestrian crossing. Based on the results of the study, FDOT recommended the installation of a marked mid-block pedestrian crosswalk equipped with overhead LED flashing beacons and programmed funding for the design and construction of the proposed improvements.
At the April 25, 2022 meeting of the Senior Affairs Committee, the Committee passed a motion urging FDOT to prioritize the installation of a signalized pedestrian crosswalk at Harding Avenue and 87 Street. This motion was transmitted to the Mayor and City Commission via Letter To Commission (LTC) No. 164-2022.
At the May 4, 2022 City Commission meeting, Commissioner David Richardson referred this item to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee for discussion with possible action.