US 1 Express Lanes Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study Public Kick-Off Meeting September 7 & 8, 2011 Miami Dade County, Florida 1
Presentation Agenda Introduction to MDX Background to PD&E studies & US 1 Express Project Project purpose & need Project components Ways to participate 2
Who is MDX? Agency of the state enabled by the Florida Legislature and created by Ordinance of the Miami Dade County Commission in 1994. Governed by a 13 member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor o and the County Commission Created to build, expand, maintain and operate an expressway system within Miami Dade County Projects financed solely from toll revenue collected in Miami Dade and invested in local transportation infrastructure
MDX System SR 924/Gratigny Parkway, SR 112 Airport Expressway, SR 836/Dolphin Expressway, SR 874/Don Shula Expressway SR 878/Snapper Creek Expressway System carriers over one million commuters daily
Background Idea first identified d South Link Alternatives Analysis Transit Study (2006) MPO South Dade Managed Lanes Study (2008) MDX and MPO recognized a need and potential opportunity MPO LRTP (2009) Optimize transit service Improve safety Maximize use of roadway capacity and right of way iht Mitigate congestion Generate funding for transportation improvements
Prior Studies & Concepts 6
Steps to Implementation 7
What is a PD&E Study? Complies with federal and state environmental laws and regulations Establishes project purpose and need Determines study area Conducts preliminary engineering Evaluates potential impacts (e.g., social, natural, physical) Coordinates with public agencies Engages the public in project development 8
Project Schedule 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Project Initiation Environmental & Engineering Data Collection Public Kickoff Meeting Environmental & Engineering Analysis (Tier 1) Tier 1 Alternatives Workshop Design Charrettes Environmental & Engineering Analysis (Tier 2) Tier 2 Alternatives Workshop Draft Environmental & Engineering Documents Public Hearing Final Environmental & Engineering Documents Location & Design Concept Acceptance May 2011 Sep 2011 April 2012 April 2012 Jun 2012 Sep 2012 Sep 2012 May 2012 Jun 2013 Aug 2013 Nov 2013 Project to be completed in two steps: Tier 1 Tier 2 9
Project Location 10
Project Goals Enhance transit service and improve traffic operations along the Busway Maximize i usage of existing i roadway capacity and existing right of way Mitigatecongestion alongthe US1 Corridor and traversing streets Provide possible funding for future transit/ transportation improvements 11
Characteristics of Existing Busway First opened in Feb. 1997 2 lane undivided, access controlled, median buffer 45 signalized intersections 19.8 miles in length 9 canal crossings BUSWAY SECTION 12
Characteristics of Existing Busway 100 foot right of way Proximity to US 1 Existing street system Existing transit operations Do no harm requirement 13
Characteristics of Existing Busway 6 bus routes/9 connecting routes 29 stations 6 park & ride lots (5 in corridor, 1 off corridor) Exclusive use by MDT and emergency vehicles Transit signal priority 14
Project Purpose and Need Corridor needs Capacity Traffic operations Safety Transit speeds Area wide needs System linkage Travel demand Long range plan Growth & development Intermodal connectivity 15
Project Purpose and Need Corridor Needs Limited alternative routes Heavy congestion onus1 and HEFT Substantial growth anticipated Limited opportunities for widening US 1 No major transportation projects planned High peak period transit demand Existing park & ride lots filled Low bus operating speeds 16
Project Purpose and Need Area wide Needs Improved linkage between Kendall, Palmetto, US 1, and Metrorail transit corridors Improved linkages between US 1 and Palmetto Expressway Significant commercial and retail development Unbalanced residential and employment growth Large potential for development Enhanced integration of modes and travel options 17
Average Operating Speeds 95 Express 55 62 Metrorail 30 33 US 1 26 28 Busway 17 17 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Northbound Southbound 18
Study Elements Users & Services Travel demand Transit operations Highway operations Land use & growth 19
Study Elements Engineering Roadway Structures Stations ITS/Toll collection 20
Environmental Considerations National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) CleanAir Act Clear Water Act Section 4(f) Section 106 21
Study Elements Environmental Natural Wetlands Floodplains Water quality Wildlife and habitat Physical Noise Air quality Construction Contamination Socio-cultural Land use Visual impacts & Aesthetics Cultural resources Parks & recreation Social & community Environmental justice 22
Possible Project Features Additional travel lanes Overpasses at major intersections Transit stations Improved bicycle/pedestrian i facilities Improved linkage 23
Key Elements of Express Lanes 1. Priority Section 2. Vehicular Access Types 3. Vehicular Access Locations 4. Technology & ITS 24
Key Elements of Express Lanes 5. User Eligibility 6. Linkage to Roadway Network 7. Toll Collection 8. Branding 25
Summary Use of the available ROW to add new lanes for general traffic and increase capacity along the corridor The proposed express lanes will be tolled at a variable price to ensure free flow conditions throughout the day The express lanes will provide an additional travel option for drivers sitting on traffic US 1 will be considered toll free as it is today Transit service on the corridor will remain and transit buses will not pay a toll Future Metrorail extension will not be precluded The bike path will stay 26
Coordination 27
Coordination Miami Dade i Dd County Town of Cutler Bay City of Florida City City of Homestead Village of Palmetto Bay Village of Pinecrest City of South Miami Florida Power &Light (FPL) 28
Public meetings Fact Sheets Ways to Get Involved Newsletters and mailings Workshops and charrettes Public Hearing Small groups One on ones Website Surveys 29
Ways to Get Involved Scheduled Meetings Kick off Meetings Alternatives ti to be presented tdin 2 meetings: Tier 1 Alternatives Workshops Tier 2 Alternatives Workshop Public Hearing Additional efforts Technical Steering Committee Community Advisory Committee Design charrettes Listening sessions Meetings with communitygroups
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Ways to Stay Involved For more information please contact: Tere Garcia, Public Involvement Officer phone: 786 277 9292 email: US1express@mdxway.com Please visit our website www.mdxway.com
Growth in Population and Travel 70 Miami-Dade County Population and VMT Growth 1990-2030 10 65 VMT Population 9 n Millions VMT i 60 55 50 45 40 8 7 6 5 4 3 Populatio on in Millio ons 35 2 30 1 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 Year