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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 09 21 Regular 600 Concept Plan for Market Square BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA CONSENT INFORMATIONAL ITEM 600 PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR X MGR /DEPT September 21, 2011 Meeting Authorization REQUEST: Public Works Department providing the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee the concept plan for proposed intersection improvements at S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road (Market Square) and requesting any comments or other input. SYNOPSIS: Market Square is the triangular area located on the northwest side of the S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road intersection. Market Square was planned to be a “window into Main Street” of the Winter Springs Town Center, but the area is not functioning as intended due to various design and operational issues. This agenda item presents a concept plan for proposed improvements at Market Square and adjoining transportation facilities at the S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road intersection. CONSIDERATIONS:  Market Square is the triangular area located on the northwest side of the S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road intersection (see Exhibit A). Market Square was planned to be a “window into Main Street” of the Winter Springs Town Center, but the area is not functioning as intended.  The current problems and other challenges at Market Square and the S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road intersection are summarized as follows: Poor visibility of Town Center retail buildings fronting Tuskawilla Road o No linkage of activity between Market Square and Town Center tenants (patio o dining, etc.) Possible need for valet parking dropoff/pickup area o Pedestrian issues: o September 21, 2011 Agenda Item #600 Page 2 of 4 The only crosswalk to Market Square is at the northern tip of triangle Other access points to Market Square are mid-block across the right-turn bypass lane, with steps down from the sidewalk Market Square is generally not a desirable destination for pedestrians – small space, surrounded by traffic lanes, limited amenities Southbound Tuskawilla Road vehicles are missing the right turn bypass lane and o turning right (illegally) at signal McDonald’s exiting vehicles are travelling across Tuskawilla Road to bypass o lane: The left turn at the tip of the triangle is at an awkward angle and the curb frequently gets clipped Headlights beam directly into patio dining area Vehicles crossing double-yellow gore median Poor sight distance on S.R. 434 for right turning vehicles in bypass lane due to o Town Center sign/landscaping Southbound Tuskawilla Road: o Vehicle queue in southbound straight lane occasionally blocks access to left turn storage lane Vehicle queue in left turn storage lane occasionally exceeds capacity Southbound Tuskawilla left turns onto eastbound S.R. 434 cannot be concurrent o with dual northbound Tuskawilla left turns onto westbound SR 434 due to intersection geometry; this reduces the intersection efficiency Only access to frontage road is from right-turn bypass lane o  In July 2011, the City hired a transportation engineering consultant, Mr. Ian Lockwood, P.E., from AECOM, to evaluate the intersection and prepare a concept plan showing the recommended improvements. Mr. Lockwood’s concept plan is attached as Exhibit B.  The concept plan consists of a series of safety and operational improvements at the intersection of S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road in Winter Springs, summarized as follows: Eliminating the southbound Tuskawilla Road right turn bypass lane that is o causing confusion for drivers Shifting the Tuskawilla Road lanes on the north branch to the east o Provide longer southbound Tuskawilla left turn storage o Eliminate the left turn overlap for southbound and northbound Tuskawilla Road o left turning movements Increase the southbound Tuskawilla Road to westbound S.R. 434 turning radius o Improve sight lines o Add on-street parking o Other improvements as shown on the attached concept plan o  The advantages and disadvantages of the proposed improvements are summarized as follows: September 21, 2011 Agenda Item #600 Page 3 of 4 Business Enhancements:  Improved site access and internal circulation pattern  Market Square becomes a more useful plaza that can be integrated with business activity in Building 1  More functional and frontage road that better meets driver expectations  Opportunity for valet parking  Re-directs SR 434 pedestrian traffic to the retail frontage sidewalk  Gain eight parking spaces on Tuskawilla Road (although several may be lost with the frontage road modifications)  Creates a better opportunity to link customer activity between the east and west sides of Tuskawilla Road Traffic / Operational Improvements:  Resolves current problems associated with the right-turn bypass lane  Increase right-turn radius for southbound Tuskawilla Road vehicles turning west onto SR 434  Separate left turning paths for northbound and southbound Tuskawilla Road left turning movements  Improves pedestrian comfort and safety by moving sidewalk away from high- speed travel lane  Increase southbound Tuskawilla Road left-turn storage lane length  Creates more space for turning movements between SR 434 and the frontage road at the intersections  More walkable Other Enhancements:  Plan can be phased in  Anticipates re-development of McDonald’s site  Preserves much of the existing investment in Market Square Disadvantages:  Lane shift will be expensive  Need private property participation for frontage road changes and any work on McDonald’s property  End users will have to transition to new circulation pattern  Disruption during construction  Need FDOT approval for work proposed in the SR 434 right-of-way  City Staff recently submitted the Intersection Improvements at S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road to Metroplan Orlando for consideration of funding under Metroplan’s Management and Operations program. The design phase of the project was ranked #1 for funding in FY 2012/13 in the amount of $150,000; however, based on recent feedback from FDOT it is likely that the design funding will be pushed back to FY 2013/14 due to other funding commitments. The construction phase for the S.R. 434 / Tuskawilla Road project, which is estimated to be up to $1.5 million, is not funded for construction but September 21, 2011 Agenda Item #600 Page 4 of 4 will remain on Metroplan’s Management and Operations unfunded project list for future consideration. FISCAL IMPACT: This agenda item is for the BPAC’s review and information only and has no fiscal impact. COMMUNICATION EFFORTS: The Meeting Agenda and this Agenda Item have been forwarded to the Bicycle And Pedestrian Advisory Committee members and are available on the City’s Website, LaserFiche, and the City’s Server. The Agenda has been forwarded to the Mayor and City Commission; City Manager; and City Attorney/Staff. Additionally, the Meeting Agenda has been sent to media/press representatives, all Homeowner’s Associations on file with the City, all individuals who have requested Agenda information, Department Directors; and also posted outside City Hall; posted inside City Hall with additional copies available for the general public. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee review the information in this agenda item and provide any comments or other input regarding the proposed intersection improvements at S.R. 434 and Tuskawilla Road. ATTACHMENTS: 1.Exhibit A – Aerial Photo of Existing Conditions 2.Exhibit B – Proposed Concept Plan ÷äôóúóèû ïÛÊÑ×ÈéËÇÛÊ× Copyright ©2007 Pictometry International Corp. 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