US 41 at GULFSTREAM AVENUE ROUNDABOUT Financial Project ID: 438137-1-62-01
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FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION US 41 AT GULFSTREAM AVENUE ROUNDABOUT Financial Project ID: 438137-1-62-01 Virtual Public Meeting Summary of Comments Received The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One conducted a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, regarding the US 41 at Gulfstream Avenue Roundabout Construction Project in Sarasota, Florida. The meeting began with a brief presentation, followed by questions and comments from the public. A total of 189 questions and comments were received during the meeting, by email, via the project website, and by postal mail. Comments have been entered into the summary exactly as they were submitted by user. Duplicate questions/comments from the same user have been excluded. A recording of the virtual public meeting and questions and responses, can be found on the project website at the links referenced below: Virtual Public Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVNmAf4zNfA&feature=youtu.be Questions/Responses: http://www.swflroads.com/gulfstreamroundabout/US‐41‐Gulfstream‐RAB‐VPM‐Questions‐Responses.pdf More information about the project can be found on the project webpage. http://www.swflroads.com/gulfstreamroundabout/index.html 1 Virtual Public Meeting, December 16, 2020 Summary of Comments Received FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION US 41 AT GULFSTREAM AVENUE ROUNDABOUT FINANCIAL PROJECT ID# 438137-1-62-01 1. Colette R Question/Comment: “"Hi Alice, Thank you for providing an in‐depth and informative meeting regarding the US 41 at Gulfstream RAB. Please send a transcript so that I may place in my file. I would also like to be added to any updates on this matter." Response: Thank you Colette. I have added your information to the stakeholder database to receive project updates and alerts. A recording of the virtual public meeting can be viewed at the link referenced below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVNmAf4zNfA&feature=youtu.be 2. George A Question/Comment: “Can a car access US41 North turning right at the downtown intersection from Main on US41?” Response: Westbound Main Street will be closed at the intersection of US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue during construction. Motorists traveling west from downtown, on Main Street, will not be able to turn onto US 41. 3. Cathy A Question/Comment: “Comment ‐ Please no pedestrian bridge!!” Response: Roundabouts in areas with pedestrian traffic are designed to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians. The vehicles will be stopped only when a pedestrian actuates the system to safely cross. Permanent pedestrian bridges have not been considered for this location due to lack of space, funds, and need. Traffic analysis shows that pedestrian movements will not negatively impact the traffic flows to the point where pedestrian bridges are justified. Due to the high cost of pedestrian bridges, a different type of intersection would likely have been chosen that does not require them. 4. Cathy A Question/Comment: “Is there any chance the ingress and egress from the roundabout onto Gulfstream would be restored to two ways ‐ both into and out of downtown ‐ instead of just entering downtown as it is now? If not, why is it going just one way ‐ toward downtown?” Response: Traffic will be able to enter downtown, as existing conditions. Adding another entry into the roundabout creates additional conflict points and significantly impacts traffic inside of the roundabout. Traffic exiting the roundabout have multiple options to do so, hence an exit at Gulfstream Avenue is not necessary. 5. Mike A Question/Comment: “For planning purposes, how many minor and major auto accidents do you plan for during this project?” Response: We strive for zero construction related accidents. 6. Cathy A Question/Comment: 2 Virtual Public Meeting, December 16, 2020 Summary of Comments Received FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION US 41 AT GULFSTREAM AVENUE ROUNDABOUT FINANCIAL PROJECT ID# 438137-1-62-01 “Not Sunset Golden Gate” Response: N/A 7. Cathy A Question/Comment: “OMG over the bridge is terrible. Why not route the U Turn traffic to Golden Gate Point under the bridge?” Response: The path under the Ringling Bridge cannot be used as an official detour route, as it does not meet certain standards. 8. Cathy A Question/Comment: “Thank you!” Response: N/A 9. Cathy A Question/Comment: “Will the usual entry to and exit from Golden Gate Point be changed during construction? If so how and when?” Response: The left turn onto Golden Gate Point will not be permanently eliminated. Motorists traveling northbound on US 41 and turning west onto Gulfstream Avenue, will be able to make a left turn. However, traveling southbound on US 41 turning west onto Gulfstream Avenue, the left turn lane will not be available. Motorists will have to go straight through the intersection at Gulfstream Avenue/Sunset Point and make a U‐turn past the bridge at Bird Key Drive. There will be a temporary signal added east of the intersection. Additionally, we will have a dedicated session with the Golden Gate residents to provide information regarding impacts to Golden Gate Point. 10. Melanie A Question/Comment: “Is it possible to have pedestrian crossing above the intersections?” Response: Roundabouts in areas with pedestrian traffic are designed to accommodate both vehicles and pedestrians. The vehicles will be stopped only when a pedestrian actuates the system to safely cross. Permanent pedestrian bridges have not been considered for this location due to lack of space, funds, and need. Traffic analysis shows that pedestrian movements will not negatively impact the traffic flows to the point where pedestrian bridges are justified. Due to the high cost of pedestrian bridges, a different type of intersection would likely have been chosen that does not require them. 11. Ronald B Question/Comment: “Alice, Hi, I didn't see the entire presentation. Are there plans for a pedestrian walkwat overpass or tunnel to go under Tamiami at Main Street as you corss toward Marina Jack? Thanks, Ron” Response: FDOT is pursuing a temporary pedestrian bridge near the US 41 and 1st Street intersection. However, there are a few factors that must be worked out before it can be officially added to the construction project. If any of the 3 Virtual Public Meeting, December 16, 2020 Summary of Comments Received FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION US 41 AT GULFSTREAM AVENUE ROUNDABOUT FINANCIAL PROJECT ID# 438137-1-62-01 factors cannot be resolved, the pedestrian bridge will not be able to be included. A permanent temporary bridge is not being considered at this time. 12. Steven B Question/Comment: “Please repeat the targeted completion date.” Response: The expected project completion is fall 2022. 13. Dotty B Question/Comment: “I visited Ireland about 3 years ago and noticed that they used roundabouts especially in large cities. One morning as our group rounded a circle I notcied quite a line waiting to get into the circle. It must have been at least one block long. Later I mentioned to the bus driver that it seemed people were somewhat polite waiting to enter the circle and his comment was "not always." I said that the city I lived in was going to put roundabouts. He said, "They are taking them out in here. I would rather wait a light for three minutes then spend ten minutes waiting to get into the circle." Having worked in St Armands, I think a roundabout so close to the one in Fruitville is inviting a traffic horror. You have a monumental amount of traffic heading to Bradenton between 4 pm and 6 pm when most workers leave Longboat and the early birds are heading to mainland restaurants. It would be a traffic nightmare as the one block heads north and Fruitville is trying to get between cars to head south! We have too many visitors to now confuse them with proper use of roundabouts when they have no had that experience. Some can't even drive on two lanes and make a proper turn. I am against roundabouts in a city with visitors and ESPECIALLY AT GULF STREAM! I do not see this working in close proximity to one a block away. Sincerely, DB” Response: This project consists of a Modern Roundabout which is designed to accommodate the traffic needs for this specific intersection. Traffic circles are often referred to as roundabouts, which are not efficient at moving heavy traffic volumes, but a modern roundabout is designed to handle higher traffic volumes safely and efficiently. 14. Vincent B Question/Comment: “Attended the webinar. Please send link to recording so I can share. Please add me to your database. Thank you, Vincent B” Response: “Good morning Mr. B, Thank you for attending the webinar. I have added your information to the stakeholder database to receive project updates and alerts. A recording of the virtual public meeting can be viewed at the referenced link below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVNmAf4zNfA&feature=youtu.be Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you, Alice Ramos” 15. Vincent B Question/Comment: “How have you evaluated the effectiveness of the HAWK system at the base of the road leading to the Ritz Carlton?” Response: 4 Virtual Public Meeting, December 16, 2020 Summary of Comments Received FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION US 41 AT GULFSTREAM AVENUE ROUNDABOUT FINANCIAL PROJECT ID# 438137-1-62-01 The HAWK signal at Ritz Carlton Drive was installed based on heavy pedestrian volumes with safety of pedestrians in mind. As with any signal, it will result in added delays to traffic, but it helps keeping pedestrian safe which is consistent with the theme of making downtown pedestrian and bike friendly. 16. Response: Vincent B Question/Comment: “Will any phase impact the entry to Golden Gate Point?” Response: The left turn onto Golden Gate Point will not be permanently eliminated.