MIAMI-DADE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION (TPO)
CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CTAC)
STEPHEN P. CLARK CENTER 111 NW FIRST STREET MIAMI, FLORIDA 33128 18TH FLOOR, CONFERENCE ROOM 4 (18-4)
SUMMARY OF MINUTES
MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2017 AT 5:30 PM
CTAC ATTENDANCE: Alan Fishman, Chair Anson Jean Pierre Hudson Gaulman, Jr. Albert “A. J.” Protash Susana Guasch Naomi Wright Marlon Kelly, Sr. Daniel Yglesias
OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Chance, CTAC Coordinator Alison Stettner, FTE Cellie Mayol, Citizen Keegan Larson, WGI/ FTE Norman Wartman, Citizen Scott Kamien, Atkins/FTE Kevin Lynsky, PortMiami Alfred Lurigados, CH2M Carlos Castro, FDOT-D6 Albert Sosa, HNTB Victoria Williams, FTE Ivan Jimenez, Gannet Fleming Brian Ribaric, FTE Regina Serrano, Miami-Dade TPO
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I. WELCOME
Paul Chance, CTAC Coordinator, advised Alan Fishman, CTAC Chair, there was a quorum present. Mr. Alan Fishman then recognized quorum, and welcomed everyone at the meeting.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Naomi Wright made a motion to approve the agenda, which was seconded by Anson Jean Pierre. Upon being put to a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Naomi Wright made a motion to approve the March 8, 2017 minutes, which was seconded by Marlon Kelly, Sr. Upon being put to a vote, the motion passed unanimously.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Citizen Norman Wartman, made a presentation to the CTAC members regarding the MacArthur Causeway. Here are the following key points of his presentation:
• Severe traffic signals choke points • Numerous accidents and fatalities • Transit improvements stalled due to capital, operational & maintenance costs • Limited grade separation at traffic signals • Highways with traffic signals generally have a capacity of 600 vehicles per lane, per hour • Highways without traffic signals generally have a capacity of 2,000 vehicles per lane, per hour • The capacity of the causeway (6 lanes) would be increased from 3,600 vehicles per hour to 12,000 vehicles per hour • Grade separation at intersections generally will reduce accidents and fatalities by about 80 to 90 percent • Dedicate one lane in each direction to transit • Sell the surplus capacity in the two (2) transit lanes (similar to I-95 Express Lanes) • Toll the four (4) general purpose lanes • Miami Beach residents could get an annual pass (coded to Sun-Pass) similar to Key Biscayne residents who use the Rickenbacker Causeway.
The Chair suggested that Mr. Wartman’s suggestions be submitted for the “Calls for Ideas”
V. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Chair Fishman introduced Susana Guasch as the newest CTAC member appointed by TPO Board Member Roberto Martell, City of Medley.
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VI. PORTMIAMI GENERAL PLANNING UPDATE
Kevin Lynskey, Port of Miami Deputy Director, gave an overview update on the PortMiami general planning areas. The following are key points made:
A. PASSENGER TERMINALS UPDATE • Port Cruise Terminals Today • PortMiami’s Future Cruise Terminals –2020 • PortMiami Cruise Passengers Traffic
B. PANAMA CANAL PART II UPDATE • Four of PortMiami’s services traverse the Panama Canal • About half a dozen weekly calls in the 6,000 to 9,000 TEU range benefit from our infrastructure investments • 11% growth in Asia services thanks to the Panama Canal • PortMiami is the only Florida port capable of accommodating the big ships
C. FEC FREIGHT TRAIN UPATE • On-Dock Rail: 9,000 feet of load able track with direct connect onto Jacksonville and the national rail network • State of Florida strategic investment designed around making Miami a first and last cargo call from/to Panama Canal after expansion • Possible stacked-on dock rail systems the key feature of federal and state investment in Miami which allows Port Miami to serve distant (non-regional) market cost effectively while removing tens of thousands of trucks from the road
• More than 70% of the U.S population is reachable by rail from the PortMiami within Maximum of 3 – 4 day transit time
(The presentation can be heard in its entirety upon request)
After the presentation, members, and staff conducted a question and answer period as follows:
• Are you able to park offsite to obtain a cheaper parking rate? o We would like to see more offsite parking and therefore are looking into that possibility.
• Would you consider using an outside vendor for additional parking? o Yes, we will look into the parking challenges that we are facing. As of now 2/3 of the passengers gets dropped off, while the remainder, most of which are from out of town, park their rentals on site
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• Have you considered partnering with Uber or shuttles services to the seaport to assist with transporting passengers? o Parking is not a real issue, most people fly in and out of state for cruises, usually travelers are picked up and dropped off.
• How has the infrastructure improved to maintain 7 million passengers which may double in 10 years? What is being done to accommodate more traffic? o The master plan is our top priority, which is done every 5 to 6 years. We are diligently looking at options for improvements to expand the roadways on the Port o We anticipate about 6 to 8 months to obtain the master plan from FDOT regarding the parking issues. Sometime around October or November we could bring this item back to CTAC for discussion.
• What does the acronym TEU mean? o That stands for Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit.
• Who maintains the jetties? o I would suggest reaching out to the Coast Guards regarding inquiries to the jetties.
VII. HEFT WIDENING DESIGN BUILD FROM SR 836 DOLPHIN TO I-75
Scott Kamien, FDOT Project Manager, conducted a presentation on the HEFT Widening Design Build from SR 836 Dolphin to I-75 as follows:
• Active FTE Design Criteria/RFP Development • Widen Florida’s Turnpike Extension (SR 821/HEFT) from SR 836 to NW 106th Street • Widen Florida’s Turnpike Extension (SR 821/HEFT) from NW 106th Street to I-75 • Completed FTE PD&E Study • Widen Florida’s Turnpike Extension (SR 821/HEFT) from SR 836 to east of NW 57th Avenue • Project Development History • Consistent with FTAC Resolution 02-08 and City of Doral Resolution 14-53 • Facilitates TPO SMART Plan • PD&E Study (FPID 423371-1) Completed in 2010 th o Study Limits from SR 836 to East of NW 57 Avenue o Approved on October 27, 2010 • PD&E Study split into 3 separate construction projects th o 435543-1 –From SR 836 to NW 106 Street (Design-Build) 435542-1 –From NW 106th Street to I-75 (Design-Build) o th o 435546-1 and 429328-1 –From I-75 to east of 57 Avenue (Design-Bid-Build) • Design Re-Evaluation for 435543-1 and 435542-1 (On-Going) o Required to document typical section change to include Express Lanes • PD&E Study for NW 170th Street Initiated by Developer to be Completed for FTE
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• Purpose: o Add capacity to meet future travel demand (Design Year 2040), and improve travel time reliability, safety and long term mobility options • Needs: System Linkage o Continue Express Lanes from the south to I-75 o Complete full interchange at SR 836 • Add Capacity/Reduce Congestion • Improve Travel Time Reliability • Add Operational and Safety Enhancements • Improve Emergency Evacuation • Economic/Industrial Development on Corridor • Project Improvements - Elements Include • Mainline Widening and Express Lane Implementation • Direct Connection to/from Florida’s Turnpike Express Lanes: o SB Florida’s Turnpike to EB/WB SR 836 o EB/WB SR 836 to NB Florida’s Turnpike • Interchange Improvements at SR 836, NW 12th Street, NW 41st Street and NW 74th Street, NW 106th Street and US 27 (Okeechobee Road) • Added north bound access to Florida’s Turnpike from NW 25th Street/NW 117th Avenue south of NW 41st Street • Added Diverging Diamond Interchange at NW 170th Street and Florida’s Turnpike • Access Change for NW 41st Street • Convert NW 117th Avenue to 1-way between NW 34th Street and NW 50th Street • Continuation of NW 117th Avenue over NW 41st Street • HEFT Northbound Access via NW 41st Street Flyover • Proposed Interchange at NW 170th Street • Proposed Diverging Diamond Interchange PD&E Study initiated by developer to be completed for FTE o th o Florida’s Turnpike will be constructed to cross over NW 170 Street and relocated Canal th o Alternative 1, NW 170 St. is proposed for 6-Lanes between Florida’s Turnpike and NW 97th Avenue th o Proposed access change for NW 107 Avenue
Public Coordination/Meetings Date: May 23, 2017 Location Shula’s Hotel and Golf Club 6842 Main Street Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Public Meeting: 5:30 PM -For Widen Turnpike Extension from SR 836 – I-75 Design Public Hearing: 6:30 PM - For access change at NW 41st Street PD&E Hearing: 7:00 PM - For New Interchange at NW 170th Street
(The presentation can be heard in its entirety upon request)
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After the presentation, members, and staff conducted a question and answer period as follows:
• How many roads are being widened? o About 23 miles of road widening from SR 836 to I-75.
• What is the project start date? o We expect to start April of 2018. All three projects will have a three to four month completion window.
• What about the Mega-Mall? o That project is a standalone project.
• Regarding venue selection, why are you holding it at Don Shula’s? We suggest to find a better way to inform the public to allow for a greater turnout. Why not the old fashion way, by direct mail? o Staff will take the suggestions back to inform for consideration.
• How about using Facebook Live to post meetings? o Due to the public records law we are not allowed to do that at this time.
• What can be done to improve the appearance of the barriers on the turnpike? We can use them to advertise. o Staff will take the suggestion back to inform FDOT for consideration.
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
IX. CHAIR’S REPORT
The Chair informed members of the following:
• Requested that new CTAC members attend the mandatory Sunshine/Ethics Training. They were also encouraged to take the training if they haven’t done so in over 5 years to remain up to date on the sunshine laws. They were asked to contact CTAC Coordinator for further details. Please send potential CTAC members to our CTAC Coordinator.
• The next TPO Governing Board meeting is Thursday, April 20th, and the CTAC Coordinator will provide the webcast link.
• The next CTAC meeting will be Wednesday, May 3rd 2017. Staff is currently working with
• Lee Swerdlin and Dr. Carnegie for the meeting to be held at FIU Brickell.
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• The Chair asked if anyone was interested in working with the CTAC Coordinator in hosting a meeting in their area this year, if so, please contact the CTAC Coordinator.
• The group picture was rescheduled for a later date due to low committee attendance. • The Chair continued to encourage members to use their social media outlets to promote CTAC meetings.
• Battle of the Counties!! The Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC) has launched the Battle of the Counties Travel Survey Challenge is a friendly, data-collecting challenge between the residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties in an effort to improve the local transportation system. Travel information provided by will offer insight and a new perspective to making counties more economically vibrant.
o This information was emailed to all the committee members last week. The Chair encouraged members to get involved, and assist in improving local transportation by signing up for the Travel Survey Challenge. The feedback from local residents will assist transportation engineers and planners to improve our roads, reduce traffic congestion and provide safer sidewalks and bicycle facilities.
• Upcoming SMART Plan Workshops: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Six has scheduled the following workshops to gather feedback from the general public. Please make an effort to attend if you are able to. The Chair would like to have at least one person attend these upcoming meetings and come back with a report at the next CTAC meeting:
Public Workshop North Corridor – NW 27th Avenue PD&E Study April 6, 2017 – 6:00PM – 8:00PM North Dade Regional Library Auditorium 2455 NW 183rd Street, Miami Gardens, FL 33056
New Business: Members expressed a concern for an increase in traffic during off peak hours along major highways. They requested that the CTAC Coordinator contact the appropriate agency for an update and what is being done to resolve it.
X. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.
***MINUTES ARE IN SUMMARY FORM*** FOR VERBATIM TRANSCRIPTIONS OF THIS MEETING, PLEASE REQUEST COPIES OF THE TAPE FROM THE MIAMI-DADE MPO AT (305) 375-4507
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