TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, Interim City Manager
TITLE: Report of crosswalk analysis on South Biscayne Drive between Safford Terrace and Elyton Drive.
Recommended Action
Discussion and possible action.
Background Information
During the City Commission Road and Drainage District meeting on January 24, 2017, the Commission approved Contract No. 2017-08 between the City of North Port and C-Squared Certified General Contractor, Inc. to construct curbing around the South Biscayne Drive medians in the amount of $412,912.60, plus $15,000.00 for contingencies subject to the following conditions:
1. Conduct crosswalk analysis and bring back to the City Commission at the next possible meeting.
2. Adding the responsibility of Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) back to the contractor.
An administrative change order in the amount of $24,500.00 was issued on January 27, 2017, adding the responsibility of MOT back to the contractor.
In accordance with the Commission’s condition of approval, staff conducted a crosswalk analysis to determine the need for pedestrian crosswalks within the Median Improvements on South Biscayne Drive project limits. The following are findings that resulted from the analysis and site inspection of South Biscayne Drive from Safford Terrace to Elyton Drive, reference Attachment #1 Location Map:
From Safford Terrace at the southerly project terminus to US41:
• One cross-walk exists at the Safford Terrace intersection. This is on the south side of the intersection where South Biscayne Drive transitions from a two lane/two direction divided roadway to a two lane/two direction undivided roadway just before the Myakkahatchee Creek bridge. The crosswalk traverses through the grassed median, between the two travel lanes. This crosswalk is one block south of the Pan American Boulevard and South Biscayne Drive intersection.
• There are no other crosswalks on this segment of South Biscayne Drive, until the US41 intersection which has signalized pedestrian crossings on all four legs of the intersection.
• Sidewalks are along both sides of South Biscayne Drive from Safford Terrace to Sydney Avenue. The medians on South Biscayne Drive at the Pan American and Sydney Avenue intersections stop short of the intersection. The purpose of which is assumed to accommodate one vehicle to turn left onto Pan American Boulevard and Sydney Avenue from South Biscayne Drive. Crosswalks on South Biscayne Drive at these two intersections would conflict with left turning vehicles on Biscayne Drive to these two streets.
• There are no sidewalks on the east side of South Biscayne Drive from Sydney Avenue to Hyde Park Avenue to accommodate crosswalks.
• Sidewalks are on both sides of South Biscayne Drive from Hyde Park Avenue to US41.
At the US41 intersection:
• All four legs of the intersection have signalized pedestrian crossings.
From US41 to the northerly terminus at Elyton Drive:
• A sidewalk exists along the west side of South Biscayne Drive the entire length.
• The only sidewalk on the east side of South Biscayne Drive is from US41 to a bus stop situated across South Biscayne Drive between the W. North Drive and Pickwick Road intersections.
• A signalized pedestrian crossing at US41 and a mid-block pedestrian crossing just south of Elyton Drive intersection are the only crosswalks on this segment of Biscayne Drive.
• There are no sidewalks on the east side of Biscayne Drive in this segment of the roadway, to accommodate crosswalks.
Based upon the crosswalk analysis and site inspection referenced above, staff has determined that one additional crosswalk at the South Biscayne Drive and Hyde Park Avenue intersection could be constructed. This is a more direct route for residents on the west side of South Biscayne Drive in this area to the North Port Library, rather than using the signalized crosswalk at the US41 intersection. The intersection does not have a widened median for left turning vehicles on South Biscayne Drive to Hyde Park Avenue, as exists at the Sydney Avenue and Pan American Boulevard intersections. Marked-up sheet No. 8, reference Attachment #2 shows the type and location of the proposed crosswalk at the Hyde Park Avenue intersection. There will be no impact to the curbing project. The crosswalk will require minimal sidewalk additions to each side of South Biscayne Drive and appropriate stripping. Staff can process an administrative change order in the amount of $2,807.18 with C-Squared Certified General Contractors, Inc. for construction of the additional crosswalk.
Strategic Plan
Maintained/Up-graded/Expanded City Infrastructure
Financial Impact
$2,807.18 is available in contingency funds for this project.
Procurement
Attachments: 1. Location Map
2. Marked-Up Sheet No. 8 with Proposed Crosswalk
3. PowerPoint Presentation
Prepared by: Benjamin Newman, P.E. Project Engineer
Department Director: Juliana B. Bellia