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Res 34-98 RESOLUTION NO. 34-98 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, REQUESTING THAT THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ADDRESS UNSAFE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE INTERSECTION OF WEST ATLANTIC AVENUE AND N.W./S.W. 4TH AVENUE, AND ENCOURAGING THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO FAVORABLY CONSIDER THE INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND/OR ALTERNATIVE TRAFFIC MODIFICATIONS TO SAID INTERSECTION; PROVIDING FOR DISTRIBUTION; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the poor visibility of oncoming traffic at the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue and N.W./S.W. 4th Avenue, especially the southwest corner, has been a concern to the Delray Merchants Association (DMA), the Police Department and local residents for a number of years; and WHEREAS, because of the direct route south to Linton Boulevard on 4th Avenue, there appears to be a significant increase in traffic through the subject intersection; and WHEREAS, the community is concerned about this unsafe condition and has requested the Florida Department of Transportation to favorably consider the installation of a traffic signal and/or traffic modifications, such as a "peanut" island, to the intersection as a means to alleviate the problem; and WHEREAS, the City Commission supports the efforts of the Delray Merchants Association and the community to address this public safety issue by working with the Florida Department of Transportation to resolve the problem. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. For the safety of all concerned, the Delray Beach City Commission supports the efforts of the Delray Merchants Association and the community to address unsafe traffic conditions at the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue and N.W./S.W. 4th Avenue, and strongly encourages the Florida Department of Transportation to favorably consider the installation of a traffic signal and/or alternative traffic modifications such as a "peanut" island for said intersection. Section 2. That the City Clerk is hereby directed to furnish a certified copy of this resolution to the District Traffic Operations Engineer and the District Secretary of the Department of Transportation of the State of Florida. Section 3. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon its passage. PASSED ~ ~OPTED in regular session on this the 19th day of ATTEST: City Cle~ i - 2 - Res. No. 34-98 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION LA~I'ON ClllLIE~ TIIOMAS F. BARR~ Jr. c~owar~o~l DISTRICT SECRETARY - DISTRICT 4 sv.~t~?nax 3400 West Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309-3421 Telephone: (305) 777-4110 Fax: (305) 777-4197 June 4, 1998 Ms. Alison MacGregor Harty City Clerk, City of Delray Beach 100 N.W. St. Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33444 Dear Ms. Harry: This is in response to your letter of June 2, 1998 and accompanying City Resolution (34-98) requesting the Department review the intersection of Atlantic Avenue (State Road 806) and NW/SW 4 Avenue and take action as appropriate,including provision of traffic signal control, to enhance its safety and operation. The Department will conduct a safety study at this intersection and hereby requests the City provide copies of all relevam crash reports from the past 36 months. These crash reports will be used to help identify any unsafe conditions and the magnitude of those conditions, if any. We will also perform a traffic signal warrant analysis. I amicipate these efforts will be completed within 4 weeks after receipt of the crash reports. We will take corrective action on the basis of the study and warrant analysis as our resources allow. If you should any further questions or commems, please feel free to contact Mr. Mark Plass, Assistant District Traffic Operations Engineer at (954) 777 - 4353. Sincerely, Rick Chesser, P.E. District Secretary District 4 REC/mps cc: James A.Wolfe William A.Lewis Mark Plass Jonathan Overton Vivek Reddy File No. 1320 Log No. I Copy to: DTH, City Manager RAB, Asst. City Mgr. ~ C~CLERK Lula Butler, C.I. Direc Chief Overman, Police Dept. DELR^Y BEA(D--i CITY CLERK 1993 Mr. Rick Chesser, P.E. District Secretary District Four Florida Department of Transportation 3400 West Commercial Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-3421 Re: Resolution No. 34-98 (Intersection of Atlantic Avenue/SR 806 and N.W./S.W. 4th Avenue in Delra¥ Beach) Dear Mr. Chesser: Enclosed is a copy of Resolution No. 34-98 requesting that the Florida Department of Transportation address unsafe traffic conditions at the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue (SR 806) and N.W./S.W. 4th Avenue in Delray Beach. Further, it encourages your department to favorably consider the installation of a traffic signal and/or alternative traffic modifications to the subject intersection. Resolution No. 34-98 was passed and adopted by unanimous vote of the Delray Beach City Commission on May 19, 1998, in support of efforts by the Delray Merchants Association and the community to address this public safety issue. Your serious consideration is appreciated. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 561/243-7050. Sincerely, . ~/~ City Clerk AMH/m Attachment cc: William A. Lewis, Jr., District Traffic Operations Engineer David T. Harden, City Manager Robert A. Barcinski, Assistant City Manager Lula Butler, Director of Community Improvement Clay Wideman, Delray Merchants Association Jimmy Weatherspoon, Delray Merchants Association I~,*,~*.cyc,~*~er THE EFFORT ALWAYS MATTERS MEMORANDUM TO: MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS FROM: CITY MA.NAGER~ SUBJECT: AGENDA ITEM # ~'[-~- REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 19, 1998 RESOLUTION NO. 34-98 (REQUESTING FDOT TO CONSIDER INSTALLATION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND/OR INTERSECTION MODIFICATIONS (WEST ATLANTIC AVENUE AND 4TH AVENUE) DATE: MAY 13, 1998 On May 5th, Mr. Jimmy Weatherspoon and Mr. Clay Wideman addressed the City Commission with respect to a request from the Delray Merchants Association (DMA) for Commission support in working with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to obtain either a traffic signal or intersection modifications at West Atlantic Avenue and N.W./S.W. 4th Avenue. On behalf of the DMA as well as the community in general, both gentlemen expressed concerns about the unsafe traffic conditions at this location and their belief that FDOT might be more amenable to working out a solution should the City Commission support their efforts. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Commission to support the request and direction was given to draft a resolution to this effect. Resolution No. 34-98 is provided in response to this direction. Once adopted, it will be forwarded to the appropriate FDOT officials and staff will continue to work with the Delray Merchants Association in monitoring progress with FDOT to address the unsafe conditions at the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue and 4th Avenue. Recommend approval of Resolution No. 34-98. ref:agmemol2 MEMORANDUM DATE: May 12, 1998 TO: David Harden, City Manager FROM: Lula Butler, Director, Community Improvement RE: Delray Merchants Association Traffic Signal or Modification Request ITEM BEFORE THE COMMISSION: Consideration of a request from the Delray Merchants Association (DMA) to support their concern and request to Florida Department of Transportation for consideration of a traffic signal and/or a traffic modification to the intersection of West Atlantic Avenue and NW/SW 4th Avenue. BACKGROUND: The traffic situation at the intersection of West Atlantic and 4th Avenue has been a concern of DMA, the Police Department and residents for a number of years. It appears that there is substantially more traffic at the 4th Avenue intersection because of the direct route to Linton Blvd. The problem is compounded by the sight restrictions created from on-street parking in front of the Wideman Building. This situation was addressed in 1994 by Public Works Department and Police, extending the length of the restricted parking area and increased enforcement. This has helped some, but today, we continue to have some line of sight problems. DMA is concerned with the unsafe condition, citing many near accidents. The City has, at the request of Clay Wideman, DMA and the Police Department requested the County to consider installing a traffic signal at this intersection. The County's signalization and safety studies conducted in 1994 and 1996 indicated that the intersection did not meet the minimum requirement necessary to support a signal being installed. DMA's position is that in some cases, we recognize that the numbers may not always support the conclusion the community believes and perceive. They would like to have the City Commission support the wishes of the community, requiring an exception to the rule. DMA believes that current conditions are so unsafe, they would respectfully offer an option to install a "peanut" barrier, restricting a vehicle's ability to cross north and south through the intersection, but allowing left turns only for east and west traffic movement. This would minimize the unsafe condition and would, in their opinion, force some of the traffic on the 5th Avenue corridor, using the existing traffic light. DMA does not support relocating this traffic light to 4th Avenue. Modification to the intersection will fall within the purview of FDOT. DMA is respectfully requesting City Commission support and give direction to staff to work with the State agency to install either their first choice of a traffic signal or intersection "peanut" to the intersection of West Atlantic and SW/NW 4th Avenue. RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending City Commission consideration of the Delray Merchants Association request for support of their efforts to work with FDOT and Palm Beach County, addressing the unsafe conditions at the intersection of West Atlantic and SW/NW 4th Avenue, given the facts in this report and information presented by DMA members.