Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 02-13-07 workshop minutes — reading text

Public Works Director reported the U. S. 98/ Ferry Road intersection objective was to eliminate the left-turn movements at the intersection and make Ferry Road a right- in, right- out access only. He explained that would decrease traffic delays caused by left- turning vehicles. He reported the U. S. 98/ Municipal Parking lot objective was to also eliminate the left-turn movements and make it a right- in, right- out access only. He reported the U. S. 98 at Florida Place objective is a safety issue to make the intersection safer by moving the stop bar further east to open up the radius for a more smooth turning movement for the southbound traffic turning east. He mentioned that the State contractor installed the vertical bollards before getting confirmation from the City to proceed. The Public Works Director reported he met with the Chamber of Commerce and a lot of concern and opposition was expressed on eliminating any of the left-turns. He pointed out left turns are already prohibited at the municipal parking lot because of the double solid yellow lines which has the same effect of a physical raised median in a roadway. He noted there are two issues on that roadway, one is moving traffic and one is accessing property. The question was asked if there had been any input from the public against eliminating the left-turn movement. The Public Works Director replied it was brought up to the businesses at the Chamber meeting to make them aware of the improvements and there was a lot of concern and opposition expressed to terminating the left-turns.  Council Workshop 2- 13- 07 184 US 98 TRAFFIC CONGESTION IMPROVEMENTS cont. The question was asked if there were any public participants at the Chamber meeting who did not own a business who were in favor of eliminating the left-turns. The Public Works Director replied the people at the meeting VIklo did not have a business in that stretch abstained from any expression. The Mayor mentioned that the traffic engineer recommended eliminating left- turns to relieve traffic it has been discussed since last summer and presented to the Transportation Corridor congestion; Authority. The City Manager added it was part of an effort to increase the flow of traffic so there might not be a need for a She mentioned the one- bridged. waycouplets received considerable discussion at the y CRA meeting on the Plan Update also met significant opposition from the downtown businesses. She mentioned if they just look at these improvements separate and apart from the one- way couplets there will not be a 25- 30% increase in traffic flow as was presented by the traffic engineer. The Public Works Director confirmed there was no objection to moving the stop bar for safety. He mentioned the total package would have significant improvement but each individual piece has an incremental improvement.He said the State has a construction project in progress currently at U. S. 98/ Brooks/ Highway 85 for an intersection reconfiguration which is almost completed, and the contractor will install the thermal plastic lane markings. He said if the City wants to proceed with the work at the Ferry Road intersection, the contractor will do it at no cost to the City; but if the City does not want to proceed at this time, the Citywill pay for it but it is an insignificant cost. and is Doug Reed, 842 Santa Rosa Court, owner of Merlins downtown, stated that ingress egress the whole and if they start putting barricades it will destroy what they important to community as a up have worked hard to build and make the community more user friendly. He mentioned when the one- of months ago he had to way couplets was first presented by staff at a MainStreet meeting couple a ask that a drawing be made so they could look at it and it was told to them it was in sand and it was MPO) and now it up for discussion, then they hear it went to the Metropolitan Planning Organization ( is in the MPO' s long- range plan. He stated his problem with that is the people who are affected were not told. The City Manager stated in light of the comments received from the downtown merchants, staff is not inclined to move ahead with the left turn restrictions at this time. She thought those improvements are taken together as a corporate solution to a bridge, and unless she hears differently from Council they will continue to maintain the turning as it is, remove the bollards, and talk with DOT about getting the line moved back at the Florida Place intersection. Dr.Pullen commented that DOT wants to move traffic and Council's position should be to take care of the citizens. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business, the meeting adjoumed at 6: 30 p. m. VED:~} ~ ii..'. iT r ITY~{/ ddm