Florida Department of Transportation RICK SCOTT 2198 Edison Avenue ANANTH PRASAD, P.E

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Florida Department of Transportation RICK SCOTT 2198 Edison Avenue ANANTH PRASAD, P.E. GOVERNOR Jacksonville, FL 32204 SECRETARY Transmitted Electronically

July 23, 2014

RE: FDOT Courtesy Review - Draft Ocean Highway and Port Authority and Port of Fernandina Master Plan Update

Introduction

The Florida Department of Transportation received the Draft Ocean Highway and Port Authority and Port of Fernandina Master Plan Update June 23, 2014. The following are the FDOT Courtesy Review comments. We look forward to reviewing the final Master Plan in the future.

The comments offered are suggested revisions and recommendations that are to be included before an adoption into the City of Fernandina Comprehensive Plan. Previously we provided the Master Plan Consultant comments related to grammar and wording in the document. These editorial comments are not included in this courtesy review letter as they are not substantive changes.

Overall, the Draft Master Plan addresses the requirements set forth for port strategic plans under F.S. 311.14 (2).

FDOT Comments

Tables

• Page ES-12 shows the Phase 3 Site Layout. The narrative to explain Phase 3 is lacking or needs clarification. • Table 6.1-3 (page 6-13) PM Peak hour Roadway Level of Service Conditions): o Segment Column: Roadway segments should match FDOT LOS report or where there are significant changes in volume or changes in the number of thru lanes. o 2023 Peak Volume Column: The standardized “K” factor should be used when converting AADT to peak hour. What “K’ factor was used to convert AADT to peak hour? In addition, traffic volumes should be averaged when there are more than one count stations within a segment. o PM Peak Hour Capacity: Agree with I-95 capacity. PM Peak hour Capacity should match FDOT LOS report consistent with the FDOT Generalized Tables. o Link Status Column: Revise to reflect changes in segmentation, volumes, and capacity. o Please add a facility type column.

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• Table 6.1-4(page 6-16) Planned and Programmed Transportation improvements Please amend to include information from the FDOT Adopted Work Program 2014/2015- 2018/2019 that was adopted on July 1, 2014. Please change the Port of Fernandina Dredging project from PD&E to CAP. Also, change the Chester Road widening project from fiscal year 2017 to 2018.

• Table 6.1-5 through 10 (page 6-17 to 6-31): Revise tables consistent with revisions to Table 6.1-3. Map ID 48 should be calculated as an Uninterrupted Highway with an MSV of 5,900.

• Table 6.1-12 and Table 6.1-13: Please clarify if these tables include Port of Fernandina Traffic and Programmed Improvements.

Trucks The Draft Master Plan analysis uses an equivalency of 1.5 cars per truck (Table 6.1-8). HCM methodology utilizes an equivalency of 2.5 cars per truck. The daily trucks should be estimated at 1,508, not 905. Total new daily trips should be 1,711. Based on a peak hour factor of 9 percent, the estimated new peak hour traffic from the port should be 154 vehicles, not 87 as reported. The Draft Master Plan capacity analysis included estimated background traffic and the estimated new port traffic. Several of the surrounding facilities utilize trucks and are listed with their potential growth in the master plan. These estimates were not added into the capacity analysis. While it can be assumed that some of the traffic is in the background estimation, no analysis was offered to show that the potential growth of the other truck generators (detailed in the master plan) is less than the 1 percent growth rate used to estimate background traffic in the Draft Master Plan analysis. In addition, the 1 percent growth rate is not adjusted for the trucks estimated by the Draft Master Plan from the surrounding industries. Traffic Analysis The Draft Master Plan also identifies ‘critical intersections’, none of which are in the connecting section from the port to the east / west SR 200 section. Analysis (HCM, Synchro, etc) should have been performed on the roadway links connecting the port to the east / west SR 200 section. That analysis would have shown that intersections on this truck route will degrade. Table-based capacity analysis does not offer a definitive analysis of capacity or operations where trucks are a large part of the traffic stream. The Draft Master Plan conclusion does not indicate any future problems with roadway links connecting the port to the east west section of SR 200. It does, however, indicate problems with the east/west section of SR 200. This would appear counterintuitive given that the roadways connecting the port to the east/west section of SR 200 are 2 and 4-lane roadways with 30 MPH speed limits. The transportation issue with the increased traffic from the port will be the connection from the port to the east/west SR 200 section. If the report had looked at future operations along the

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connection corridor from the port to the east / west SR 200 section, then the focus may have shifted to a plan to improve this connection. The plan should look at other possible connection alternatives such as widening 8th Street, new routes, etc. The report did not look at this because the assumptions about future traffic and operations on the connector links are inadequate.

Recommendation

The Port of Fernandina is an Emerging Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Seaport, and connects to a SIS Waterway. This Port has access to a SIS Highway Connector and SR A1A/200 is a SIS Highway Corridor. These are facilities of state importance and should be included in the Master Plan Update. Attached is a SIS Map that will assist in the revisions of the Master Plan Update. FDOT recommends that the documentation be revised to sufficiently address discrepancies in the transportation analyses. To identify potential solutions and action plan to the transportation issues facing the Port in the future, FDOT offers additional assistance and consideration with consultation with both the Port and FDOT, in providing alternative solutions. FDOT looks forward to assisting and forming additional partnerships to advance the economic growth of both the City and the Port.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at [email protected] or call (904) 360-5647.

Sincerely,

Ameera F. Sayeed AICP, GISP District Two Growth and Development/Modeling Coordinator.

Cc Robert L. Parks P.E., FDOT Development Director Juan Flores, FDOT Office of Freight, Logistics and Passenger Operations Administrator Doreen Joyner-Howard, AICP, FDOT District Two Modal Development Manager James McDonald, FDOT Freight Logistics & Passenger Operations

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MIAMI-DADE Kelly Gibson

From: Woodward, Deena S. Sent: Friday, August 01, 2014 10:08 AM To: Kelly Gibson Cc: [email protected] Subject: RE: Courtesy Review Request for Port Master Plan and Associated Comp Plan Amendments

Hi Kelly,

At this point there are just two concerns. The first is any potential adverse impact to the Fernandina Beach Historic District (8NA89). However, we are aware that any projects in this district will need to be reviewed locally, and should any state or federal permitting or funding be involved, we will also have another opportunity to comment.

The second is that two archaeological sites (8NA707 & 8NA25) that have not yet been evaluated for eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places are documented within the bounds of the project area. Should any state or federal permitting or funding be involved, we will have another opportunity to comment and most likely request that the area be subjected to a professional cultural resources assessment survey.

Let me know if you have any questions.

From: Kelly Gibson [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 12:10 PM To: Woodward, Deena S. Subject: Courtesy Review Request for Port Master Plan and Associated Comp Plan Amendments

Ms. Woodward,

Would you be able to provide a courtesy review of this document prior to a formal submittal? I am hoping to get the document prepared for our LPA in August or September. The Nassau County Ocean Highway and Port Authority is interested in obtaining any comments that the State may have in advance of bringing it to the LPA. Please let me know if this is a possibility. I appreciate your time and apologize in advance for the size of this file.

Kelly N. Gibson Senior Planner

1 From: Steve Fitzgibbons To: Kelly Gibson Cc: Geoffrey Sample Subject: RE: Courtesy Review Request for Port Master Plan and Associated Comp Plan Amendments Date: Monday, August 04, 2014 1:12:52 PM Attachments: Section 163.3177(6)(d)2.k.docx

Kelly,

Below are SJRWMD’s pre-transmittal comments. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks, Steve

COMMENTS Proposed Policy 5P.08.02 states: “The Ocean Highway and Port Authority shall limit specific and cumulative impacts on identified wetlands and wildlife habitat by avoiding projects that destroy or significantly degrade such habitat or by providing mitigation measures.”

1. It is unclear what is meant by “identified” wetlands and wildlife habitat. Suggest the term “identified’ be deleted.

2. The policy indicates that OHPA shall limit impacts on wetlands by providing mitigation measures. The City should ensure that its comprehensive plan addresses the requirements of Section 163.3177(6)(d)2.k, Florida Statutes (F.S.), or, alternatively, consider including a respective statutory reference within the subject policy. Below is an example of revised policy that includes a statutory reference: “The Ocean Highway and Port Authority, in accordance with Section 163.3177(6) (d)2.k, F.S, shall limit specific and cumulative impacts on identified wetlands and wildlife habitat by avoiding projects that destroy or significantly degrade such habitat or by providing mitigation measures.”

Steven Fitzgibbons, AICP Intergovernmental Planner Office of Communications and Intergovernmental Affairs St. Johns River Water Management District P.O. Box 1429 Palatka, FL 32178 Office (386) 312-2369 E-mail:[email protected] Website: floridaswater.com Social media: Newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube

From: Kelly Gibson [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 12:07 PM To: Steve Fitzgibbons; Geoffrey Sample Subject: Courtesy Review Request for Port Master Plan and Associated Comp Plan Amendments

Hi Steve and Geoff,

Kelly N. Gibson Senior Planner City of Fernandina Beach 204 Ash Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Office: 904.310.3141 Fax: 904.310.3460 [email protected] www.fbfl.us/cdd

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