Title
Left Hand Turn Lane at 1005 and 1007 SW 13th Street (B)
Explanation
Public Works Department staff discussed the issue of adding a left turn lane for southbound traffic on SW 13th Street turning east onto SW 11th Avenue with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The response from FDOT is that they are not in favor of approving a left turn lane for the following reasons:
1. Insufficient lane width. Any lane width less than 11 feet would have to be reviewed by the District Design Engineer. The reduced bike lane width is also questionable.
2. Insufficient distance from the overpass to SW 11th Avenue. Trips generated to and from the project could cause a sharp increase in this left turn movement with insufficient room to develop the left turn lane. The possibility of rear end crashes could increase dramatically. Northbound right turns from SW 13th Street onto 11th Ave would also increase, making less opportunity for the southbound left turn movement, and causing queues to back up in the left turn lane.
3. There is alternate access from points north and south. While less convenient, it would not cause the safety concerns a left turn lane would on SW 13th Street.
The issues mentioned above, including trip generation and distribution, would have to be thoroughly addressed in an engineering report prior to FDOT review.
The Public Works Department has worked with the developer who has provided a report dated April 6, 2005 that includes additional traffic information. This report documents the left turn movements and design approach of the project. A significant percentage of trips to and from this development are pedestrian and bicycle in nature due to the projects close proximity to UF and Shands.
The Public Works Committee has reviewed the information provided by the FDOT with respect to the installation of a southbound left turn lane on SW 13th Street at SW 11th Avenue. The Public Works Committee concluded that there ...
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