A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AT ITS MEETING ON MAY 19, 2017, AND AUTHORIZING ENHANCEMENTS TO THE UNSIGNALIZED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS ALONG VENETIAN WAY, FROM RIVO ALTO DRIVE TO SAN MARINO DRIVE, WITH INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED (LED) CROSSWALKS, SUBJECT TO FUNDING APPROVAL IN THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 2017/18 BUDGET.

The Administration recommends that the Mayor and City Commission approve the resolution.

BACKGROUND

The Venetian Causeway is the primary route for bicyclists and pedestrians between the City of Miami Beach and the City of Miami. In 2015, pedestrian and bicycle counts showed that 166 pedestrians and 112 bicyclists used the causeway between 6:00 AM and 9:30 AM and 210 pedestrians and 156 bicyclists used the causeway between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM.

Over the past years, staff has observed vehicular traffic increase on the Venetian Causeway. This increase may be attributed to the increasing demand and congestion on other primary causeways (I.e., MacArthur Causeway and Julia Tuttle Causeway). However, the Florida Department of Transportation traffic count station on the Venetian Causeway does not have any data beyond 2015 due to prior and ongoing construction projects along this causeway that have disrupted travel patterns over the last couple of years.

Currently, the section between East Rivo Alto Drive and West San Marino Drive consists of six (6) crosswalks across Venetian Way. Three (3) of these crosswalks are signalized (East Rivo Alto Drive, East DiLido Drive, and East San Marino Drive). The remaining 3 crosswalks are not signalized and are only equipped with static pedestrian crossing signs.

In February 2017, the City received an email from the Venetian Islands Homeowners Association reporting safety issues with the crosswalks. Staff has conducted a review of these crosswalks and found no issues with the signalized crosswalks; however, given the traffic in the area and the width of the roadway cross-section, further enhancements to the unsignalized crosswalks may be warranted. Currently, the City has installed portable “Yield To Pedestrian” signs on a pedestal in the middle of the 3 unsignalized crosswalks. Staff also conducted night-time observations of the crosswalks and found one street light was not working. This malfunction has been forwarded to the Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW) for repairs.

The Venetian Causeway is a roadway facility under the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. All traffic engineering modifications, including crosswalks, must be evaluated and approved by Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works (MDCDTPW) prior to implementation.

This item was discussed at the May 19, 2017 NCAC meeting. The NCAC passed a motion directing staff to explore the implementation of Internally Illuminated Crosswalks (LED Crosswalks) at the following three (3) unsignalized intersections along Venetian Way: 

1) West Rivo Alto Drive

2) West Dilido Drive

3) West San Marino Drive

In December 2016, the City's Transportation Department concluded a one-year pilot program of LED Crosswalks at two (2) locations. Based on the favorable results of the effectiveness study, on February 17, 2017, the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWPC) endorsed the Administration’s recommendation to seek MDCDTPW and FDOT  approval of the warrant thresholds for installation and to prioritize the following seven (7) locations based on estimated installation costs and available capital funding:

• West Avenue and 6^th Street

• West Avenue and 9^th Street

• West Avenue and 12^th Street

• Collins Avenue and 83^rd Street

• 77^th Street and Byron Avenue

• Indian Creek Drive and 41^st Street (Northwest Corner)

• North Michigan Avenue and 43^rd Street

The FCWPC recommendation was endorsed via resolution of the City Commission at the March 1, 2017 meeting.  Pursuant to City Commission directive, staff has submitted the proposed warrant thresholds to MDCDTPW and FDOT for review and approval.

Should the City Commission approve the recommendation of the NCAC, and funding is appropriated, the design and installation of LED Crosswalks along Venetian Way will need to be approved and permitted through MDCDTPW. In addition, an agreement between the City and County will be required for installation and maintenance of the devices.