Joshua Jester, E.I., Florida Department of Transportation, District One

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1 MEMORANDUM To: From: Joshua Jester, E.I., Florida Department of Transportation, District One Michael Garau, P.E., Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Date: October 5, 2018 Subject: at Gulfstream Avenue Intersection Improvement Project FPID Numbers: , Sarasota County The potential traffic noise issues associated with the proposed intersection improvement project at US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue in Sarasota have been reviewed. A detailed noise study for any of the alternatives under consideration for this project is not warranted for the reasons discussed below. The intersection improvement project is not anticipated to significantly alter the existing noise environment and result in creating new noise impacts that warrant further analysis of noise or assessment of noise abatement measures. Project Description The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting a PD&E Study to evaluate improvements to the intersection at US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue in the City of Sarasota. This project proposes the construction of a multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue as part of an overall plan to enhance multimodal mobility along US 41. Project Alternatives The alternatives considered for this project include the following: No-Build Roundabout Alternative 1 Four-leg roundabout with no crosswalk on the west side Roundabout Alternative 2 Four leg roundabout with crosswalks on all sides Roundabout Alternative 3 Three leg roundabout with an exit lane on the east side and crosswalks on all sides Roundabout Alternative 1 (Figure 1) proposes to construct a multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue. The roundabout would generally consist of two circulatory lanes except for the northbound and eastbound entries where three lanes would be provided. The east leg of the intersection would be opened to westbound traffic entering from Gulfstream Avenue. Pedestrian crosswalks would be provided except on the west side of the at Gulfstream Avenue 1 FPID(S): ;

2 roundabout. A pedestrian hybrid beacon is proposed at all crossings of two or more lanes to ensure the safety of pedestrians. This alternative would require approximately 55 square feet of additional R/W from the northeast quadrant of the intersection. Roundabout Alternative 2 (Figure 2) proposes to construct a multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue. The roundabout proposed under this alternative is similar to Roundabout Alternative 1 except that it includes a pedestrian crosswalk on the west side. To accommodate the additional crosswalk, the roundabout under this alternative was shifted by approximately 12 feet towards the southwest. A pedestrian hybrid beacon is proposed at all crossings of two or more lanes to ensure the safety of pedestrians. No additional R/W is required for this alternative. Roundabout Alternative 3 (Figure 3) proposes to construct a multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue. Similar to Alternatives 1 and 2, this alternative generally consists of two circulatory lanes except for the northbound and eastbound entries where three lanes would be provided. However, for Alternative 3, the east leg of the intersection would remain as an exit-only. Pedestrian crosswalks would be provided on all sides. A pedestrian hybrid beacon is proposed at all crossings of two or more lanes to ensure the safety of pedestrians. No additional R/W is required for this alternative. Federal Noise Regulation Applicability The proposed intersection improvement project was reviewed for applicability of 23 CFR 772, Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise, and Part 2, Chapter 18 of the FDOT PD&E Manual. Part 2, Chapter 18 of the FDOT PD&E Manual is the FDOT s traffic noise policy and documents procedures for traffic noise analysis. Applicability as addressed in the PD&E Manual is consistent with the requirements of 23 CFR 772. Type I Project A traffic noise analysis is required for all Type I projects as defined in 23 CFR 772. A Type I project involves any of the following activities: 1. The construction of a highway on new location; 2. The physical alteration of an existing highway involving either a substantial horizontal alteration or substantial vertical alteration; 3. The addition of a through-traffic lane; 4. The addition of an auxiliary lane, except for when the auxiliary lane is a turn lane; 5. The addition or relocation of interchange lanes or ramps; 6. Restriping existing pavement for the purpose of adding a through-traffic lane; or 7. The addition or alteration of a weigh station, rest stop, ride-share lot or toll plaza. The proposed US 41/Gulfstream Avenue intersection improvement project is considered a Type I project due to the physical alteration of an existing highway involving a substantial horizontal at Gulfstream Avenue 2 FPID(S): ;

3 alteration since all three of the proposed roundabout alternatives shift traffic towards noisesensitive areas of Bayfront Park. Substantial Horizontal Alteration A substantial horizontal alteration is defined in 23 CFR 772 as a project that halves the distance between the traffic noise source (edge of nearest travel lanes) and the closest receptor between the existing condition to the future build condition. Multiple noise-sensitive areas are located in the vicinity of the project area. The Vue and One Watergate Condominiums are in the northwest quadrant of the intersection. Bayfront Park, which contains the Unconditional Surrender Statue, is in the southwest quadrant of the intersection. The nearest residence is in The Vue and is adjacent to the edge of the existing southbound travel lane on US 41. All the proposed alternatives would retain the existing edge of pavement along the northern leg of US 41 and the western leg of Gulfstream Avenue. Therefore, none of the alternatives would move a travel lane closer to the residences along US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue and would not constitute a substantial horizontal alteration in these areas. A sitting area is located adjacent to the Unconditional Surrender Statue in Bayfront Park. It is located approximately 50 feet from the edge of the existing southbound travel lane on US 41. The roundabout alternatives will realign the existing southbound travel lanes on US 41 closer to the sitting area. Substantial Vertical Alteration A substantial vertical alteration is defined in 23 CFR 772 as a project that removes shielding (not including vegetation removal) that exposes the line-of-sight between the receptor and the traffic noise source. This is done by either altering the vertical alignment of the highway or by altering the topography between the highway traffic noise source and the receptor. None of the project alternatives are expected to change the vertical profile of US 41 or Gulfstream Avenue. Therefore, a substantial vertical alteration is not anticipated with this project. Bayfront Park Noise Abatement Analysis Using methodologies described in FDOT s A Method to Determine Reasonableness and Feasibility of Noise Abatement at Special Use Locations, it was determined that nearly 250 people would have to use Bayfront Park for one hour each day of the year for a noise barrier to be considered cost effective, assuming the barrier could provide a noise level reduction of 7 db(a) for at least one impacted receptor. While it may be possible that this level of use could at Gulfstream Avenue 3 FPID(S): ;

4 occur every now and then, it is not reasonable to assume that this level of activity would occur every day. Therefore, a noise barrier is not considered reasonable for Bayfront Park. No other noise abatement measures are considered feasible or reasonable for reducing traffic noise levels at potentially impacted areas of the Bayfront Park. Additionally, a noise barrier at Bayfront Park creates the following issues: One of the stated goals of the City of Sarasota is to connect Downtown Sarasota to the Bayfront and eliminate the barrier of high-speed traffic. A noise wall would introduce a new type of barrier that would be inconsistent with the City s stated goals and objectives. A noise barrier wall would block the view of the bay from Downtown. A noise barrier wall would block the view of the Unconditional Surrender statue located adjacent to US 41. This statue is an iconic feature for motorist and pedestrians traveling along Gulfstream Avenue and US 41. Construction Noise and Vibration Two of the existing land uses near the US 41/Gulfstream Avenue intersection are identified on the FDOT listing (PD&E Manual, Part 2, Chapter 18, Figure 18-9) of noise-sensitive sites (e.g., residences and parks). The residential land uses are also included on FDOT s listing of vibration-sensitive sites. Construction activities for the proposed intersection improvements are not expected to have any substantial noise or vibration impact. If additional sensitive land uses develop adjacent to the intersection prior to construction of the proposed project, increased potential for noise and vibration impacts could result. It is assumed the application of the FDOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction will minimize possible noise and vibration impacts associated with construction activities. However, should unanticipated noise or vibration issues arise during the construction phase, the Project Engineer, in coordination with the District Noise Specialist and the Contractor, will investigate additional methods of controlling these impacts. References 1. Procedures for Abatement of Highway Traffic Noise and Construction Noise; Federal Highway Administration; July Project Development and Environment Manual, Part 2, Chapter 18, Noise; Florida Department of Transportation; Tallahassee, Florida; June 14, Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction; Florida Department of Transportation; Tallahassee, Florida; July at Gulfstream Avenue 4 FPID(S): ;

5 Figure 1: Roundabout Alternative 1 at Gulfstream Avenue 5 FPID(S): ;

6 Figure 2: Roundabout Alternative 2 at Gulfstream Avenue 6 FPID(S): ;

7 Figure 3: Roundabout Alternative 3 at Gulfstream Avenue 7 FPID(S): ;