At the request of Commissioner David Suarez, this item has been prepared requesting that the Mayor and City Commission discuss/take action on a potential pilot program for a one-way conversion of Sheridan Avenue and Royal Palm Avenue from 37 Street to 44 Street, including restricting turning movements onto 41 Street during weekday afternoon peak periods.

State Road (“SR”) 112/41 Street is classified as a principal arterial roadway under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Transportation (“FDOT”). The corridor is located in Middle Beach and provides direct access to/from I-195/Julia Tuttle Causeway, a limited access federal facility, and SR A1A/Collins Avenue/Indian Creek Drive (also under FDOT’s jurisdiction).

The 41 Street corridor regularly experiences heavy traffic congestion during weekday afternoon peak hours and major special events in the City of Miami Beach. Several factors contribute to daily recurring traffic congestion along the corridor, including increased volumes due to drivers avoiding major ongoing construction and choke points on I-395/MacArthur Causeway, closely spaced traffic signals, extensive school zones, high number of pedestrian crossings, and heavy side street traffic from the connecting north-south avenues which results in vehicles frequently blocking the intersections and creating gridlock in all directions.

Based on the FDOT 2022 Level of Service (“LOS”) map, the corridor is currently operating (and has been for many years) at a LOS “F” (failing).

Commissioner David Suarez has proffered a traffic flow strategy which would consist of a one-way conversion of Sheridan Avenue and Royal Palm Avenue (one southbound and the other northbound) from 37 Street to 44 Street, and the restriction of turning movements, particularly left turns, onto 41 Street (i.e. allowing north-south travel only) during weekday afternoon peak periods. It is important to note that any modifications to the existing traffic flow, albeit on a pilot basis, will require coordination with, and possibly approval by, Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (“DTPW”).

LOBBYIST DISCLOSURE

In accordance with Resolution No. 2023-32857, adopted by the City Commission on December 13, 2023, the following information has been provided by the primary item sponsor as it relates to the subject item:

1. Was the Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
   
   
2. If so, specify name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Not Applicable