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Item D1 Revised 3/99 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY EMERGENCY ADD-ON FEBRUARY 6, 2001 Meeting Date: 02/06/0 1 Division: BOCC Bulk Item: Yes 0 No 0";; Department: Nora Williams AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Conceptual Approval of a Traffic Control plan for Hurricane Evacuation for year 2001 and update on Hurricane Evacuation Report developments ITEM BACKGROUND: The 2nd Draft (there is still no final) of the Miller Hurricane Evacuation Report determined that the County is already in excess of the standard 24 hour evacuation clearance time (a clearance time, it might be noted, that allows us to issue building permits). In an effort to face the 2001 Hurricane Season with a plan in place to reduce our evacuation clearance time, the Sheriffs Dept is working with the BOCC to put together a plan to meet that goal. While the plan presented today is missing three essential factors: personnel requirements, the exact nature of the traffic channelization markers to be utilized, and the associated costs/responsibilities, those are expected to be provided to you before our BOCC meeting February 21. This draft is provided with a request that the BOCC respond with their comments and concerns about the draft by end of business day, Thursday, 2/8/01. All municipalities are also being asked for comments and for eventual support of the plan. Additionally, the FOOT offered a possible compromise position (detailed in the letter already forwarded to your offices) upon which I need Commission direction. PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: BOCC has consistently opposed unnecessary widening of our highways and has indicated no readiness to face a building moratorium, so I'm assuming that there is hearty agreement that we need to have a plan in place.. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: TOTAL COST: vet to be determined BUDGETED: Yes 0 No 0 COST TO COUNTY: REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes 0 No 0 AMOUNT PER MONTH YEAR APPROVED BY: COUNTY ATTY 0 OMS/PURCHASING 0 RISK MANAGEMENT 0 D1VISIONDIRECTORAPPROVAL: fl. U)~~ DIVISION DIRECTOR NAME: Nora Williams DOCUMENTATION: INCLUDED: 0 TO FOllOW: 0 NOT REQUIRED: 0 DISPOSITION: AGENDA ITEM #: --.b . I HI.JL U,,-- JEB 8USH GOVERNOR ~ ,~ Florida Department of Transportation DISTRICT SIX DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION OFFtCE 1000 NW 11ITH AVENUE MIAMI, FL )J /72 (05) no 5464 THOMAS P. BARRY, JR SECRETA){V February 1,2001 The Honorable Nora WillIams Monroe County CommIssioner 490 6yd St. SUIte #1 10 Marathon, FI 33050 Dear Commissioner WillIams: Thank you for calling me at home last night regarding this very important matter. I discussed with you a proposal which constitutes the fOllowing: one lane 10 each dlrection with a wide shoulder adjacent to the northbound lane, two lane bridges wIth shoulders, a banier separated median and passing Zones. You and Mike Collins were both receptive to the idea. Although this is not the best solution from a technical perspective, it is better than the status quo. I have instructed Miller Consultants to address the challenge of providing a shoulder width that would serve evacuation, but yet discourages everyday travelers from using the shoulder for the dangerous maneuver of passing. I have asked that the recommendatIons regarding the shoulder treatment be included in the evacuation study report. I WIll be scheduling a meeting next week to discuss the concept and some of the details (lane and shoulder widths, median treatments etc.). The Department is eager to mutually develop a solution which balances the quality of life with preserving life itself Sincerely, ~~1~ Of Production cc. Tom Barry, Secretary, FDOr Ken Morefield, Assistant Secretary, FDOT Jose Abreu, District SIX Secretary Mike Collins, SFWM MIke Ciscar, FDOT Javier Gonzalez, FDOT www.dot.state.flus <!) RECYCLfO PAPER I II ikw:?iftj{/ I :~y ........................................................................................M.. .. .,. " MONROE COUNTY TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN designed to create a clearance time of less than 24 hours for the 2001 Hurricane Season under road conditions described in the Miller Hurricane Evacuation Report The Board of Monroe County Commissioners in conjunction with The Monroe County Sheriffs Department 490 63rd St. Ocean, Suite #1I 0, Marathon, FL 3350 Phone: 305-289-6000, Fax: 305-289-6306, Email: noraw@mail.state.fl.us .t: tf' Introduction 3 m.m. 85.6 -90 4 Florida City 6 Card Sound Road 8 m.m. 105-106.3 9 Conclusions 10 Notes and Appendices 11 I. Introduction The recently completed Miller Hurricane Evacuation Report determined a currently existing hurricane evacuation clearance;:;time in excess of 24 hours. The plan included within this document is, in essence, a plan to significantly reduce that hurricane evacuation clearance time. That reduced evacuation clearance time will achieve three immediate goals. It will: A) Allow Monroe County to evacuate its population in less than the national starrlard of 24 hours for safe hurricane evacuation B) Allow us to accept recently generated affordable housing pelmits and to continue building for the next few years (see Note 1). C) Allow time for the .State and local governments to work together in establishing a long term hurricane evacuation strategy that will increase everyday traffic safety of our citizenry, support community project priorities to enhance and preserve their quality of life, and decrease hurricane evacuation clearance time in the most cost- effective manner possible. The following pages will demonstrate a traffic control plan of to enhance hurricane evacUl- tion under the conditions described in the Miller Hurricane Evacuation Report that can be im- plemented prior to the commencement of the 2001 Hurricane Evacuation Season. As no sig- nificant construction projects could be completed within the necessary timeframe, it is im- perative that a plan be put in place to create an acceptable evacuation clearance time should Monroe County face the Category 3-5 conditions described in the Miller Hurricane EvacUl- tion Report. It is our hope that the following plan will meet that need. Page Three II. Mile Marker 85.5 - 90 This section of highway has long been considered suitable for traffic management. Study after study has supported this. In part icu- lar, the sections of three lane (with a shared direction middle turn lane) is quite simple to organize as a two northbound, one southbound configuration. This 4.5 mile portion of the evacuation route may be considered in the following segments: Ill. Ill. 85.5 to 85.7: Snake Creek Bridge ..... .' "The Snake Creek Bridge has one I] .5-foot lane and 8-foot shoulder in each direction separated by a double yellow line for a total width of 39 feet. Three 12 -foot lanes of traffic could be maintained across the bridge... The bridge is a bascule bridge and bridge openings would be controlled during evacuation." RE<,'OURCES requiredfor traffic management: 52 traffic channeling devices 2 signs~-on either side of the bridge warning of reconfiguration .;; "."Q:r~~..:=,,;.,~ " .... ~'''~.,...:'..'~., .:' "., :;'7; "'" ~.:-;.'ihfJ. ~:${~ ~)~"'t''''' ;'1"... ~:.,;,;::-~".-~t -;"'i?:1~, ' ...'!- ~ ~' ~"l ~ ~~~ .~ r: .tl,o.:...~~~,,""f~Mi.'''''~;,'''.."'I:t'''~'''l:_''''.f_. .~'-"'" 1ll.1ll. 85.7 to 86: The Tavernier Weigh Station 1'1-- -" . I ,.r---;'l ~~"-~ .;'--~m_~:-==1 "Just north of the Snake Creek Bridge, U.S. I transitions to a 2-Iane undi- vided cross section. The total pavement width is 32 feet with one 12-foot lane and 4-foot shoulder in each direction. On both Sues of the roadway a level, firm crushed rock surface exists just beyond the pavement edge. Ade- quate space exists to accommodate two] 2-foot outbound lanes on the exis t- ing pavement and the inbound lane, which is narrower at 10 feet, would need approximately 2 feet off the pavement." RESOURCES requiredfor traffic management: 79 Traffic channelization devices 2 signs-on either side of the bridge warning ofreconfiguration m.m. 86 to 86.2: Tavernier Weigh Station "Adjacent to the weigh station, U.S. I widens to a 54-foot total pavement width. The eastern pavement edge could be maintained for two] 2- foot outbound lanes and one 12- foot inbound lane." RESOURCES requiredfor traffic management: 52 traffic channelization markers 2 signs---on either side of the bridge warning ofreconfiguration m.111. 86.2- m.m. 86.4 "Just north of the weigh station, U.S. I transitions to a 2-lane cross section with a 32-foot pavement width identical to the segment just south of the weigh station as discussed above." RESOURCES requiredfor traffic management: 52 traffic channeling devices 2 signs-one northbound and one southbound warning of continued reconfiguration TIllS section continued page jive.. Page Four .. - ,I ~.... :...... -'01, t. ~....~ ""'n ~~ ,iT ......' :.':. .; .' ',; :'M:'k'~rt .,~'(., '.. ",. '.'''!.r.'~~\'(\'' " ." i" .'-"'. (."~..~" '-r ' ~', d i' "J:: . m.m. 86A-m.m. 90 "Throughout this segment of U.S. I, there is a minimum of three 12-foot travel lanes as well as 4 to 8-foot paved shoulders on both sides of the road- way. The pavement condition is good. Two 12-foot outbound lanes and one 12-foot inbound lane could be maintained on the existing pavement through- out this segment...There are traffic signals at approximately m.m. 89.8 and m. m.90A. The signals could be put on "flash" operation during the evacuation." RESOURCES requiredfor traffic management: -/0 traffic channeling devices to transition traffic at the beginning of this area; after that transition. there is only one small area where it will be necessmy to utilize 40 additional traffic channelization markers due to existing pavement markings. At the end of this area, at m.m. 90, an additional 40 traffic channeling devices will be needed to transfer into the existingfour-lane highway. TOTAL # of traffic channeling devices: 120. Note: Sections in quotes are provided from a Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan 1995 report, found in Section VII of this proposal under "Notes and Appendices" In document, pictures are scanned in from the Miller Hurricane Evacuation Report. Hand drawings are by Sergeant Larry Kelley, Mmroe County Sheriff's De- partment. Page Five J J J. Florida City As an area outside of Monroe County, this segment of our hurricane evacuation offers a unique dependence upon the actions and good will of the people of Florida City. Representative Ken Sorenson has spoken with the Mayor who has expressed willingness to help in our hurricane evacuation efforts on this section of the evacua- tion route that begins at the northern epd of the 18 Mile Stretch at the northern end of Card Sound Road and extends until traffic enters the northboUhd Turnpike. The highway in Florida City is composed of two lanes southhound and two lanes northbound. Traffic mana~ ment of this segment will call for detennining whether or not there is time prior to the beginning of the 200 I Hurricane Season to complete a few minimal construction projects. We propose a small bit of construction at both the intersection of Card Sound Road and US 1 as well as at the point where US 1 (the stretch) northbound transitions into a four-lane roadway (Plan A). If the con- strution is not able to be completed by the 200 I Hurricane Season, then another solution is proposed (Plan H) A. With minor construction: The current ramp is only capable of ha n- dling one lane of traffic but with minimum construction the left curb can be removed allowing 22.5 feet that could be reconfig- ured by traffic channeling devices to accommodate two lanes, placing both northbound lanes of traffic directly onto U.S.!. B. Without Construction: The left lane of the two northbound lanes on Card Sound Road will have to be turned left prior to the ramp to US 1 northbound and at the intersection would then be turned 90 degrees right (north) directly into the in- side lane of the two northbound lanes at that location- leaving the outside lane open for the northbound ramp to feed into. .. Ix ~.Q~...-n4J.~_.. ",11TH (!lo.. ;::n;,., (. r H~ I r. t-l I, Plan A ~-"""'. /;:" I (1' I ~ '<I ) -~/ '.,M- .\ 1" . r -t~}' \. t~ i '\\""r.~ , \().:~~~ . '..1. i.'. to "s\. ~ ". " . c, This section continued page seven. Contra-Ianing in Florida City Card Sound Road northbound ramp to US 1 in Florida City: J.;'- C how ~:-WD .;;. !-'S:L L...'ln/(}l..7 , . ('J,J, Tf:.' H ( !' m"'; I' Plan B , !;'i '1 .~ ,.'" OJ- "'l'> t.> .... '.1' .::.--..... / 1" I J \\ , \ i I , I \, fJ I ~../ ~ .1'C~ "'" h \ '\ Page Six US I northbound (the stretch) at the transition to the four-lane highway in Florida City Minimum construction to the southbound lanes could widen them, allowing them to be reconfigured so that the northbound lane could be routed directly into the inside southbound lane for a contra- flow situation that would continue to the intersection of Palm Drive (where it would be diverted back into the northbound lanes). A. I~ 1) '," "'rf\ , .l 'f.: .~.~I".^1 I il~T'Y .....Jr... '. "..' v C. c "-"".--- ,. .....'.. ---- '. r..p .--- . ~. .....,,,,.- 4-r ~4 ~~ ~":I~_~ '::'~hl'J .~ Plan 8 ~'r., , \ '>,....' ~~ " ~ .~,:-~ ~, . ~ .\' .(; \, ,', -. "'I"" \~, , " }i j y ? , , . \ \.r-' ...\.. \1;;.. \, \"r<-. i, \. ..;," ,.... \. \t;;;] \ .... \ ". ~'- I~ - ~ h t.. " ';; 1 I '" i, ,,\1' \ 'I II. 'I !_--~ 1 j\ >, ~. '_I .. !~. \.~ li: '. '~:"'1 1,..':./ \1 t 1 I ~i, ~ .1) (~ Without Construction (8) Page Seven ,'1 'I ~. I). \l" .-!. I ,_l~1_ ~- /"ht~-.; :'';':'.",.,(., I .. if f- :" Plan A "~~; t ; ,t' '\ ~ i\.i j y.,',:i'o)<';<... .. '.. I '. \." ~" \11 t j 'I' ,. , I' r I t. \.111, 'I. Nt + ' 11 '.JI'f11 J,,) ': h .~ C.iT!tl Co"J~ ---t~ it . .-~ )\i "i ,.." I I, r J ... . 'L t-~ '~ ~ , ~. @ With Construction (A) B. After the beginning of the median at the transition of the two -lane high- way to four lanes, both lanes would have meld into one and then that lane diverted by traffic channeling devices into the inside southbound lane of US I creating a contra- flow situation that would continue to the intersection of Palm Drive. It would then be diverted back into the northbound lanes. IV. Card Sound Road In order to provide lane continuity for the three northbound lanes that will be emerging from Key Largo at nUll. 106.3. Card Sound Road will be one-wayed during this type of emergency event. While Card Sound Road's two lanes can easily he utilized for two northbound lanes by one-waying this route, there are traffic management issues associated with both the entrance point from Key Largo and the egress point in Florida City, which are dealt with in other sections. " .-'.f 'rl; ~ ::. '" ..t' N..,' .;" ~,.~' ') --- There are two challenges to the one-waying of Card Sound Road, apart from the entrance/exit issues: I) the intersection of Card Sound Road and State Road 905 at Ocean Reef and 2) neighborhood entrances onto the highway. 'r) I 'rH Cop...;".-:..., ""'f~'.J r"" -....- I,; For the former, we propose a minimum amount of construction at the intersection of CR 905 and Card Sound Road at the three-way stop. We believe that by using only County right of way we could lay an apron of roadway in the northwest corner of the intersection widening that point and enabling us to reconfigure the intersection to a curve without a full stop. The turn will not be a wide curve but will enhance the traffic flow through the intersection. We will need 40 traffic chan- neling devices for this procedure. 2 warning signs will be necessary at this location. Below are drawings A (with this minimal construction) and B (if this construction is not possible prior to the beginning of the 2001 hurricane season). (")"t:'L . <,:~'L. _--:-v~ "';, ':'" ~",~ '"'j~ (f) ~ r!,.. ~- ," ... "I".:) ......'....~.'.._ t.. t-,""; ';- \ '< 1'--; '1 ! ,,-:1. 4.~> t,_, ..J"'/' '{"\ .-: t,'l' ,I '._'~./ .... ... ,', it.'.... ",;; " \' > For the latter, prior to any emergency situation, residents in neighbor- hoods along CR905 will be advised that during emergency evacuation, Ocean Reef Intersection A when CR905 becomes two lanes one way northbound, there will be a traffic channeling devise posted in their neighborhood roadway advis- ing of this situation. It should be noted that when CR905 is two-lanes one way northbound, any vehicle approaching from side streets will immediately see no possibility of traveling southbound on CR905 due to the amount of traffic occupying both lanes in the same direction. The existing 1'011- Booth facility has wide enough lanes at the present time to carry regular traffic but we recommend reconstruction in the future. t.~~ Ii., 'i (i! ~ (::I C..4l1~O '...--:Je N;; P __h_"'____ Resources: Additional signage to that detailed above will be needed, detailed below. hi'THl>iA 7- Cc;.,.,j~ 7l',l"'f r-) io~j "No Right Turn" Signs needed at the following intersections: Circle K, Reef Drive, and Florida Rock & Sand. "Right Turn Only" needed at CR905 Southbound from Ocean Reef Club. "No Left Turn" signs needed at the following intersections: Loquat, Gulfstream, Ocean and Palm Drives, Valois Boulevard, and Carysfort Circle North and South. ('" ~/,.i-Q ,- --04' ----0 },.,~ .~ Total Signs: 7 "No Left Turn," 3 "No Right Turn," I "Right Turn Only." (!) '. , 'j' ..,' ....1 :1 (" :;'1 i i .\ ,. ,b .. J:A/ 'J'l ill {l ...j I /J Ocean Reef Intersection B Page Eight V. Mile Marker 105 - 106.3 This brief section of four-lane road (two southbound, one northbound) prior to the beginnings of the 18 Mile Stretch and Card Sound/State Road 905, can be contra-Ianed to accommodate one southbound lane and three northbound lanes, one of which will continue northward on the 18 Mile Stretch, two of which will continued northward on the two lanes of Card Sound Road. At Taylor Drive. the inside northbound lane ~fUS I would be diverted using traffic channeling devices into the insde southbound lane creating a contra-flow situation. This would continue to the intersection of US I and CR 905 where that lane would be transitioned to the northbound lane of US I continuing on the stretch. /,,-.',.-1 'G':) RESOURCES requiredfor traffic management: A total of 212 traffic channeling devices will be needed to complete this tran- sition. 4 signs warning of and instructing drivers in the transition will also be necessary. m.m. 105 If', (.!U h. .; . \ 'l ,,--,'... (A\ J i i l~ -1;. /1> ,>'~y f"/ ,L-) . ,.j- )~ ~tl~ ~ }-, ) 'J -.k.i :~~ -.[ ..'t. m.m. 106.3 ,. \ '.1' Traffic flow will be the same with or without construction. The difference will be that the right lane going northbound to CR905 (above) will be on improved roadway with construc- tion. but, without construction, would be partially on gravel shoulder. Page Nine VI. Conclusions In an effort to reduce Monroe County hurricane evacuation clearance times, Monroe County, the various Monroe County mu- nicipalities, the Monroe County Sheriff's Department and the Monroe County Division of Public Safety are prepared to commit to this plan and to have the resources and manpower in place to deal with such severe storm conditions prior to the commence- ment of the 200 I Hurricane Season. Signatures: George Neugent, Mayor, Monroe County Jim Mooney, Mayor, Islamorada Ed Sheahan, Mayor, Key Colony Beach Jimmy Weekley, Mayor, Key West Carol MacLaren, Mayor, Layton Bob Miller, Mayor, Marathon Rick Roth, Sheriff, Monroe County Reggie Pams, Division Director, Public Safety Page Ten VII. Notes and Appendices NOTES Note One: Each hour of evacuation clearance time equates to 2228 building permits, as a result of the fo 1_ lowing equation: Total # of vehicles ivacuating the keys divided by # of hours required for evacuation d i- vided by # of evacuating vehicles assumed per residence. Additional information: In latter years, 307 permits have been released per year in Monroe County. Permits allowed to be released for unincorporated Monroe, Marathon and Islamorada per year: 204. While KCB and Layton are technically subject to ROGO, there has not been a number limit placed on those municipalities. Typically they release 14 and 2 permits respectively per year. Key West is allotted 81 per year. Ocean Reef, which is currently not subject to ROGO, releases an average of 6 permits per year. APPENDICES: Note that materials utilized in the preparation of this document include the Technical Memorandum from Don Lewis, Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc., "Findings of Work Regarding an Update of the Decem- ber 1991 Hurricane Evacuation Analysis of the Monroe County Comprehensive Plan," March 7, 1995, as well as the 2nd Draft of the 2000 Miller Hurricane Evacuation Report. Copies of these documents may be obtained upon request.