Thursday, May 12, 2016

Notice: Aggressive measures proposed to address traffic - be forewarned and let's continue the dialogue

I am pleased to be part of this village council as we return to an aggressive traffic calming program as designed through our village manager and village staff.  We are seeking new methods to address our traffic issues.

I offer the following both as notification as well as to stimulate discussion as to our efforts to manage traffic.  Note that this is a very aggressive program and I am sure the proposed will be met with a full range of reactions.

From Ed Silva, Village Manager:

Council, we are contemplating a test in the area designated below for the remaining of the School year as a traffic calming initiative. Depending on the results and public input we may come back to Council and begin implementation of this half closure of certain streets Village wide. If this works, the solution would be to use landscape, curbing and allow for bicycle ingress and egress on the section that is being closed. We are doing this in conjunction with manning the signal with a Police Officer on SW 82 Ave and SW 168 Street to ensure flow through the neighborhood at rush hour.

Updated photo - 10:10 AM 5-12-16


15 comments:

  1. Can you label the map please? Can't tell what streets are involved.

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    1. I updated the photos at 10:10 AM. Better?

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  2. Dos the half street closure extend all the way north to 168th Street? If not, 171 St will catch a tremendous amount of traffic.

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  3. Mayor Flynn Thank you for coming out to the meeting tonight, it is a time consuming second job. I hope that we can come up with a solution that appeases everyone. We will never make EVERYONE HAPPY.

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  4. AnonymousMay 15, 2016

    Maybe you can explain why it already takes 30 minutes to get through Palmetto Bay, from 184th to 136th. It doesn't make any difference if you are on 87th Ave or Old Cutler. Morning or evening, it's the worst.

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    1. That is a question for Miami-Dade County and our traffic consultant. Palmetto Bay has actually reduced in population since incorporation. There has been significant growth of over 40% in Cutler Bay and growth in the south overall, including Homestead. Much of this traffic is passing through Palmetto Bay via Old Cutler Road. I await your suggestions.

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  5. AnonymousMay 16, 2016

    What was the point of the know right turns between 7-9 am.
    They are located on the 170s streets off 87th ave.

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  6. Lars SchmekelMay 16, 2016

    Thank You Mayor Flynn. Traffic congestion has been a growing problem throughout Palmetto Bay. The traffic calming circles appear to have made matters worse. Southbound afternoon traffic is now backed up from the circle at 87th & 168th almost to the circle on 82nd Avenue, and is standstill in front of my residence. Morning traffic heading North on 82 Avenue is only marginally better. 82nd and 87th have become thoroughfares that non residents use to bypass Old Cutler and US1. The conditions are terrible and continue to grow worse.

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    1. AnonymousMay 23, 2016

      I get your point and at the risk of sounding ignorant I ask you if these roads are maintained by public funding or strictly maintained by private residents via their HOA?

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  7. Making residents go out of their way to take 87th avenue is absurd. I don't pay the taxes I pay, and didn't select my home close to my kids' schools so i could be inconvenienced this way. The reroute will undoubtedly add a lot of very precious minutes to my already complicated and long commute. I am completely opposed and surprised this would even be presented as a viable option. Why not have our Palmetto Bay police, whom we pay for, stand watch at the no right hand turn signs during rush/school hours and ticket those who ignore the postings?? Any suggestion to block passage for residents should not even be considered. Very short-minded proposition, and disappointing.

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    1. AnonymousMay 23, 2016

      Agree! If the issue is the right turn at 7:00, then have an officer posted there and ticket all offenders.

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  8. Making residents go out of their way to take 87th avenue is absurd. I don't pay the taxes I pay, and didn't select my home close to my kids' schools so i could be inconvenienced this way. The reroute will undoubtedly add a lot of very precious minutes to my already complicated and long commute. I am completely opposed and surprised this would even be presented as a viable option. Why not have our Palmetto Bay police, whom we pay for, stand watch at the no right hand turn signs during rush/school hours and ticket those who ignore the postings?? Any suggestion to block passage for residents should not even be considered. Very short-minded proposition, and disappointing.

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  9. AnonymousMay 23, 2016

    While I agree with any initiative that aims to improve people's lives this one is a bit hard to swallow. I get that traffic is horrible in South Florida and that most people are always looking for an alternative to US1 and other main corridors; however, if these roads that are being closed are maintained with public funding then they are to be used by all tax payers. If they are not then by all means close them down.

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  10. AnonymousJuly 19, 2016

    The no-turns and half closures are attempts to keep those "looking for an alternative" from choosing one through supposedly quiet residential neighborhoods. If you lived on such a street, you would be cheering, not complaining. The streets are grossly over-capacity. We have been paying for mass-transit, we have a Commission who should be taking care of it. All the Cities should be suing the County for nonfeasance. The first item of the suit should be to insist on a County ordinance requiring all Commissioners to only use mass-transit, then see how long it takes for meaningful change.

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  11. The left turn onto 77th Avenue from Old Cutler has become very dangerous during the morning rush hours. This turn is used by drivers hoping to jump ahead of standstill traffic and enter back at 174St. It is also used by many Palmer Trinity students and staff as they race to school. Many appear to me to be very young, possibly even underage children, with no concept of observing speed limits. There are many elderly and toddler age people who walk daily, and many have experienced frightening near misses by speeding vehicles.

    My proposal is to post signage restricting left turns from 7 - 9am from Old Cutler onto SW 77 Ave.

    This is a very quiet residential neighborhood that is wrongly being used as a perceived high speed detour back onto Old Cutler. Please seriously consider my proposal. Thank you.

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