SR 826/Palmetto Expressway PD&E Study From SR 93/I-75 to the Golden Glades Interchange FM #: 418423-1-22-01 FAP #: 4751 146 P ETDM #: 11241 SYSTEMS INTERCHANGE MODIFICATION REPORT Submitted by: (SIMR) RS&H, Inc. 6161 Blue Lagoon Drive Suite 200 OCTOBER 2014 Miami, Florida 33126 Systems Interchange Modification Report (SIMR) Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PURPOSE AND NEED FOR PROJECT INTRODUCTION The purpose of this project is to develop recommendations for the proposed widening of SR 826 The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is performing a Project Development and between I-75 and GGI, including the addition of express lanes and a direct system-to-system Environment (PD&E) Study for the SR 826/Palmetto Expressway in Miami-Dade County, Florida. connection between existing express lanes on I-95 and the planned express lanes on SR 826. The Palmetto Expressway PD&E Study limits extend from the SR 93/I-75 Interchange (Mile Post The need for these improvements relates to traffic congestion, systems continuity/connectivity, 15.354) to the Golden Glades Interchange (GGI) (Mile Post 24.572) for a total length of safety and existing design criteria deficiencies. The proposed project will upgrade road facilities approximately 9.2 miles. Figure 1-1 illustrates the location and limits of the project. Through this consistent with current design standards and provide additional capacity to meet the anticipated project, FDOT proposes to widen SR 826 mainline from I-75 to Golden Glades Interchange to future traffic growth and multi-modal transportation demand within the Palmetto Expressway provide additional lanes that could serve as general use lanes or managed lanes (express lanes). Corridor. It will also provide new/improved system-to-system connectivity with adjacent facilities In addition, major modifications are proposed at several interchanges along the corridor to (I-95, I-75 and Florida’s Turnpike). In addition, the Palmetto Expressway Project will facilitate address capacity deficiencies, enhance safety and upgrade roadway design elements to meet continuity and expansion of the regional network of express lanes that is envisioned for South current standards. Florida. The proposed express lanes along SR 826 are also consistent with existing state policy which mandates that all new capacity improvement projects along state highway system (SHS), The Palmetto Expressway PD&E Study also incorporates the proposed ultimate improvements at limited access facilities must consider tolling strategies( FDOT Topic: 525-030-020-a, August 30, the GGI which were developed under a separate adjacent PD&E Study (FM: 428358-1-22-01 / 2013). FAP#: 4751-147-P). The ultimate improvements at the GGI accommodate direct system-to- system connectivity for the proposed express lanes along SR 826 and the existing I-95 Express Lanes. In addition, ramp improvements are proposed within the interchange along segments of I- METHODOLOGY 95, US-441 and Florida’s Turnpike. The methodology applied for the Palmetto Expressway SIMR is documented in the related Methodology Letter of Understanding (MLOU), dated March 2012. The MLOU was approved by This Systems Interchange Modification Report (SIMR) was prepared in support of the Palmetto FDOT District Six, FDOT Central Office Systems Planning and FHWA. The MLOU outlines the Expressway PD&E Study. The SIMR documents results of the traffic analyses for the considered criteria, assumptions, processes, analyses and documentation requirements for the project. The alternatives and provides an assessment of the proposed roadway improvements and new MLOU was prepared in accordance with the FDOT’s Interchange Handbook and related connections to I-95 in accordance with the FHWA’s Policy on Access to The Interstate System. standards. The SIMR was prepared in accordance with the FDOT’s policies and procedures and serves as part of the necessary documentation for receiving Location Design Concept Acceptance (LDCA) for the proposed project. SR 826/Palmetto Expressway PD&E Study ES-I FM #: 418423-1-22-01 / FAP #: 4751 146 P / ETDM #: 11241 Systems Interchange Modification Report (SIMR) Executive Summary incorporated all Cost Feasible Plan projects contained in Miami-Dade County’s 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). Notable among these are: EXISTING CONDITIONS SR 826/Palmetto Expressway is a limited access highway and a designated Strategic Intermodal SR 826/Palmetto Expressway (North-South) from SR 836 to I-75, addition of new express System (SIS) facility that provides regional connectivity between I-75 and I-95. The existing lanes. typical section consists of three northbound/eastbound general purpose lanes and three I-75 from SR 826 to I-595, addition of new express lanes. southbound/westbound general purpose lanes. I-95 from Golden Glades Interchange to Broward County Line, addition of new express lanes. Golden Glades Interchange Interim Improvements - new system-to-system connector from Eight service interchanges are located along SR 826 within the project limits. In addition, a EB SR 826 (GP lanes) to NB I-95 (GP Lanes). Project also includes capacity frontage road (NW 167 Street) runs along the north and south sides of the corridor providing improvements for Turnpike’s southbound connector to SB I-95. direct access for adjacent properties. SR 924/Gratigny Parkway West Extension from SR 826 to HEFT, new limited access facility. SR 924/Gratigny Parkway East Extension from NW 32nd Avenue to I-95, new limited Existing (2011) annual average daily traffic (AADT) along SR 826 ranges from approximately access facility 126,000 to 155,000 with weekday peak hour directional volumes of approximately 5,200 to 6,700. HEFT Widening PD&E Study Preferred Alternative from SR 836 to NW 57th Avenue. Primary areas of traffic congestion along the mainline include eastbound segments of SR 826 Travel demand forecast indicate that traffic is expected to grow steadily along SR 826, reaching approaching the GGI in the AM peak period and westbound segments approaching I-75 during approximately 195,000 AADT by 2040. Operations analyses suggest that a large majority of the the AM peak period. Significant traffic congestion is also experienced at several interchanges. freeway segments along SR 826 will experience failing (LOS F) conditions during the AM and/or Principal among these are the interchanges at NW 154th Street, NW 67th Avenue, NW 57th PM peak periods in year 2040. In addition, all but one of the terminal intersections along SR 826 Avenue and NW 27th Avenue. will experience LOS F conditions. Given these forecasted future traffic operating conditions, it was determined that the No Build Alternative will be grossly inadequate to accommodate the Significant traffic congestion is also experienced along segments of the exiting GGI ramp future travel demand along SR 826. roadway system. Existing movements with capacity concerns include the ramp connections between southbound Turnpike and southbound I-95 and connections between eastbound SR 826 MAINLINE BUILD ALTERNATIVES and NB/SB I-95. Improvements proposed for the GGI will provide relief for these movements. Several mainline typical sections were initially considered in the development of conceptual alternatives for SR 826 corridor. These conceptual alternatives were categorized by the number NO BUILD ALTERNATIVE of general purpose lanes and the number of express lanes within the typical section. Based on The No Build Alternative retains the existing geometry characteristic of the existing year (2011) discussions and coordination with FDOT, it was determined that all mainline alternatives conditions along SR 826 within the project limits. In addition, the No Build Alternative consisting of one express lane (in each direction) were inconsistent with the District’s principle for implementation of special use lanes. All mainline alternatives consisting of one express lane (in SR 826/Palmetto Expressway PD&E Study ES-II FM #: 418423-1-22-01 / FAP #: 4751 146 P / ETDM #: 11241 Systems Interchange Modification Report (SIMR) Executive Summary each direction) were therefore discarded following this determination. Similarly, mainline typical Maintaining the existing interchange general configuration (typically a tight diamond sections consisting of twelve or more lanes were discarded as unfeasible due to the extensive interchange ) and using additional turn lanes, as needed, to address capacity deficiencies right of way that would be required for implementation. Resulting from these initial evaluations, Construction of a new single point urban interchange (SPUI) two alternative mainline concepts were carried forward for more detailed analysis and screening. Construction of a new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) These were: The various interchange options were evaluated based on traffic operating conditions in the design year along with various other engineering factors and environmental factors. Based on Alternative 1 (4+0) includes a mainline typical section consisting on four (4) general these evaluations the recommended alternative for each interchange was determined as follows: purpose lanes in each direction. No express lanes are provided along SR 826 under this SR 826 at NW 154th Street: Modify existing interchange to include: additional lanes at the alternative. Proposed improvements include the addition of one general purpose lane in terminal intersections; widening the southbound off-ramp from one lane to two lanes, each direction between I-75 and NW 27th Avenue.