PUBLIC WORKSHOP #3 SUMMARY

The project alternatives were presented at a Public Workshop held on May 7, 2003, at Hidden Oaks Middle School. This was the third major public workshop for this project and was attended by 550 members of the public. This was a tremendous turnout and an indication of the community’s interest in this project.

The participants were given an "Alternatives Survey", which described and depicted the proposed alternatives for each segment, including the No-Build Alternative. The participants were asked to select their preferred typical section alternative within each segment of the project. These surveys gave workshop participants an opportunity to provide feedback, while enabling FDOT staff to gauge the sentiment of the community regarding the project alternatives.

The "No Build" alternative is also being evaluated as part of the PD&E process and was preferred by 123, or 29%, of the "Alternatives Survey" participants at the workshop. The "No Build" alternative remains an option throughout the PD&E process. However, the "No Build" alternative fails to provide an alternate to the Palm City Bridge.

The project has been divided into four segments with various typical sections and alignment/alternatives. Typical sections, matrices, and aerial photographs with the proposed alternatives were displayed for each segment at the workshop.

Segment 1 (Florida’s Turnpike to Mapp Road) includes two alternatives along CR 714/Martin Highway. Both alternatives within this segment include two lanes in each direction along with sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and a landscaped median. Alternative 1A includes a typical section requiring 112 ft of right of way, while Alternative 1B requires 132 ft of right of way. "Alternatives Surveys" with selections made for Segment 1 were received by 251 participants at the Public Workshop, with 184 of those, or 73 %, having a preference for Alternative 1B.

Segment 2 (Mapp Road to St. Lucie Shores Drive) includes three alternatives that utilize SW 36th Street in Palm City as a footprint. Alternative 2A includes a typical section requiring 300 to 320 ft of right of way. The wider typical provides accommodations for drainage in roadside swales and increased landscape opportunities. Alternative 2B requires 112 ft of right of way with additional land required for offsite drainage detention ponds. Alternative 2C requires 137 to 293 ft of right of way and includes a Frontage Road along the north side of the proposed roadway to accommodate properties on the north side of SW 36th Street. Alternative 2C also requires additional land for offsite detention ponds. Within Segment 2, 176 participants, or 66 %, expressed a preference for Alternative 2A.

The bridge section, or Segment 3, includes a 113 ft wide bridge. The number of lanes on the east end of the bridge would vary based on the alternative selected for the Kanner Highway intersection. Two alternatives have been developed to provide an intersection that operates effectively in future years. These include an Auxiliary Lane Concept and a Grade Separation Concept. The public was almost evenly split regarding a preference for either of these alternatives.

The Auxiliary Lane Concept would provide additional through lanes at the Kanner Highway and Indian Street intersection. Transitions for these additional lanes, or auxiliary lanes, are required to begin on the eastern end of the bridge. These auxiliary lanes do not extend for the entire length of the bridge. The auxiliary lanes continue to Willoughby Boulevard in Segment 4. This alternative provides auxiliary lanes to accommodate the efficient operation of the intersection.

A Grade-Separated intersection is proposed as a second alternative for the Kanner Highway and Indian Street intersection. With this alternative, the auxiliary lanes at the intersection are not necessary. The grade-separation alternative would extend the four lane bridge over the Kanner Highway intersection and tie to Indian Street.

A 3-D visualization of the project was also presented that depicted each alternative overlaid onto aerial images of the corridor. Attendees were able to get a customized view of a particular area of concern using simulated "drive-thru" of the alternatives. Most attendees took advantage of this on-going presentation during the four hour Public Workshop.

Participants with questions about the size, design, and aesthetics of the proposed bridge were directed to a station that provided bridge profiles, model examples of the different types of bridge piers, and pictures of various aesthetic treatments available for lighting and other amenities.

Specific areas of concern such as noise impacts and wetland encroachment were also set up at separate stations staffed by professionals with expertise in those disciplines. Many attendees came to the stations with specific questions or concerns.

The Department’s next steps regarding this project include refining the alternatives based on comments received and ultimately submitting the project documents to other regulatory agencies for review. A Public Hearing is scheduled for November 6, 2003, at Hidden Oaks Middle School, prior to the final recommendations being sent to Federal Highway Administration.