HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 12 11 Regular 304 Modification to SR 434/Costa Rica Intersection
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 304
REGULAR
December 11, 2006
Meeting
Authorization
REQUEST: Public Works requesting the City Commission consider an FDOT-proposed
modification to the S.R. 434 I Costa Rica Drive intersection
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to request the City Commission's consideration
of an FDOT -proposed modification to the S.R. 434 I Costa Rica Drive intersection
CONSIDERA TIONS:
. At the July 10, 2006 Commission Meeting, the Commission approved a contract with
Metric Engineering to implement roadway improvements on S.R. 434 to improve u-turn
movements.
. One of the recommended improvements was to remove the existing concrete median from
Costa Rica Drive to Sherry Avenue and install a center turn lane (See Exhibit 1). This
improvement would restore the center turn-lane in front of Bruster's, the adjacent law
firm, and the shopping center on the north side of S.R. 434. Costa Rica Drive would be
maintained as a directional median opening, which allows left-in, right-in, and right-out
movements, but not left-out movements from Costa Rica to westbound S.R. 434.
. In FDOT's recent review of the final design, the FDOT District 5 Traffic Operations
Office suggested that the City consider opening the median at Costa Rica Drive to match
the opening at Hacienda Blvd to allow full turn movements (see Exhibit 2 for the FDOT
letter and Exhibit 3 for the Costa Rica Drive median opening with the proposed change).
FDOT noted that with the new intersection configuration there would be less physical
constraints to enforce the right-turn only movement out of Costa Rica Drive.
. Advantages of making Costa Rica a full-access median opening:
o Allows left-out movements for Hacienda Village residents
o Reduces u-turns for vehicles exiting Costa Rica traveling westbound on S.R. 434
o Eliminates safety concern of illegal left turns around existing directional median
island
121l06_COMM_Regular_304_SR 434 - Costa Rica Intersection
Regular Agenda Item 304
December 11,2006
Page 2
. Disadvantages of making Costa Rica a full-access median opening:
o Creates a safety concern with allowing left-out movements from Costa Rica Drive;
the medians were designed as a part of a S.R. 434 safety project
o Requires removal of a landscaped portion of the existing median
o Only benefits Hacienda Village residents since Costa Rica is a private road
o Additional cost to reconfigure the intersection
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends keeping the original design as shown in Exhibit 1, which maintains Costa Rica
Drive as a directional median opening. This item could be reevaluated if Hacienda Village would
allow direct access from Costa Rica Drive to the adjacent commercial properties on the east and
west sides.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 - Original Design at S.R. 434 and Costa Rica Drive
2. Exhibit 2 - FDOT letter dated November 9,2006
3. Exhibit 3 - Costa Rica Drive Intersection Drawing with Full-Access Median Opening
COMMISSION ACTION:
121106_COMM_Regular_304_SR 434 - Costa Rica Intersection
EXHIBIT 1 - ORIGINAL DESIGN
S.R. 434 BETWEEN COSTA RICA DRIVE AND SHERRY AVENUE
Exhibit 2 - FDOT Letter
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NOVEMBER 9, 2006
MR. DALE W. CODY, P.E., P.T.O.E
METRIC ENGINEERING, INC.
2269 LEE ROAD
SUITE 200
WINTER PARK, FLO 32789
RE: CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS. SR 434 MEDIAN MODIFICATION,
GENERAL USE PERMIT NO. 06K593-0088, SECTION 77120. SEMINOLE COUNTY
DEAR DALE,
THANK YOU FOR THE PERMIT APPLICATION RECEIVE 10/10/2006 FOR THE
REFERENCED PROJECT.
THE PLANS WERE FORWARDED TO OUR DISTRICT TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
OFFICE FOR REVIEW. WE HAVE RECEIVED COMMENTS BACK ON
THE MEDIAN MODIFICATION.
WITH THE REMOVAL OF THE MEDIAN SEPERATOR TO THE EAST OF
COSTA RICA DRIVE THERE ARE LESS PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS
TO ENFORCE THE RIGHT TURN ONLY EGRESS. TRAFFIC OPERATION SUGGESTS THE
MEDIAN OPENING BE MODIFIED TO MATCH THE OPENING AT HACIENDA DRIVE TO ALLOW
FULL TURN MOVEMENTS. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ISSUE IS ONE FOR THE CITY OF WINTER
SPRINGS TO DECIDE AS THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE RIGHT OUT ONLY WILL BE DEPENDENT
ON THE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
PLEASE CONFER WITH THE CITY ON THE COSTA RICA DRIVE MEDIAN OPENING AND REVISED THE PLANS
AS NEEDED, FOUR (4) SETS OF SIGNED AND SEALED FINAL PLANS APPROVED FOR CONSTRUCTION
ARE NEEDED FOR THE PERMIT EITHER WAY. THE PLANS RECEIVED ARE MARKED 'FOR PERMIT ONLY'
SHOULD YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL MR. STAN MANN AT 407-977-6530.
SINCERELY,
JAMES E. WOOD, JR, P.E.
MAINTENANCE ENGINEER
OVIEDO MAINTENANCE
CC: MR. STAN MANN
Regular Agenda Item 304
December 11, 2006
Page 5
Exhibit 3 - Costa Rica Drive Intersection - With Full-Access Median Opening
I21l06_COMM_Regular_304_SR 434 - Costa Rica Intersection