How and where will it all fit? Design definition of a multi-use trail – as defined by the Palmetto Bay study. Issues and concerns that should be addressed before any alternatives are greenlighted.

I have been asked to provide more information regarding the proposed multi-use trail, a possibility for Coral Reef Drive (and SW 184).  I have posted page 16 of the draft study below. Note this is limited to the multi-use trail, not the alternative plan if protected bike lanes were installed. The protected bike lane alternative will be the subject of a future post if there is interest from readers.

As indicated on page 16, for purposes of this study, Marlin Engineering lists the design (and impact) of a multi-use trail as follows:

·       Standard width is 10 to 12-Feet, may be 8-Feet in areas where space is restricted or if it is not heavily used.
·       Must be at least 6-Feet from roadway and have a 2-Foot clearance on each side. 

(See below)

SPACE REQUIREMENT: That means total space dedicated to the Multi-Use Trail would be 16 to 20 feet from the edge of the roadway [minimum 6 feet from road, plus minimum 8 feet (where restricted) plus an additional 2 feet of clearance from the edge of the path furthest from the street].

IMPORTANT ISSUES: The logical question here is whether there is sufficient open right of way along Coral Reef Drive? I have previously identified the numerous mature shade canopy trees as well as a historic coral rock wall in many areas.

My issue is what trees will be destroyed for a project that may not fit within the design parameters set by Marlin Engineering? Or would the Coral Reef Multi-Path be forced to take the same type of modifications used on SW 136 Street such as severe reductions or splitting the path in two to allover for trees in a center median?

The discussion above leads to many fair questions to be discussed when and if these proposals come before the mayor and village council. That is, unless any changes would be handled administratively as attempted (and, thankfully, denied) for the Palmetto Bay Village Center.

Applying the Marlin Engineering Design recommendations to the actual 136 Street buildout:

Obviously the SW 136 Street Multi-Path was not designed by Marlin Engineering as that path does not conform to the design criteria.  There are many areas where the 136 Street path is significantly less than 8 feet, some areas only as wide as the standard sidewalk they sought to upgrade from. There are many areas where the SW 136 Street path is significantly closer to the roadway than the 6 feet Marlin Engineering’s design recommends. That same 136 Street path also suffers many areas where the path has a hard end to obstructions including fences, walls and hedges – meaning there is no 2 foot buffer for the non-street side of the path – any bicyclist attempting to use the path would need to stay to center in order to avoid conflicts with these obstructions, thus severely reducing the effective width of that area of the path.

Background - prior related post - see: January 28, 2022, Next issue - do we turn Coral Reef Drive into the next SW 136th Street? Time to get involved.

TO BE CONTINUED ... stay tuned and check back for updates