Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 13. 5.

BCC Regular Meeting

Technical/Public Service Consent

Meeting Date:	08/04/2016
Issue: SR97 Right-of-Way Transfer - CR95A to US29
From:	Joy D. Blackmon, P.E.
Department:	Public Works
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Transfer of Public Right-of-Way from the Florida Department of Transportation to Escambia County for State Road 97 from County Road 95A to US29 - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director

That the Board approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Roadway Transfer Agreement between the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Escambia County for the Transfer of Public Right-of-Way for the portion of State Road (SR) 97 from County Road (CR) 95A to US29.

BACKGROUND:

The portion of SR97 extending south from the east side of US29 is a 33’ two-lane asphalt roadway centered within a 100’ wide right of way, approximately three thousand feet in length. It has recently been resurfaced and was inspected by County Road Division staff. This road intersects the west side of CR95A, forming a skewed “T” intersection, currently controlled by a yield sign which requires eastbound traffic on SR97 to yield right of way to traffic traveling on CR95A. Citizens’ requests for intersection improvements at this junction state that the ‘T’ intersection makes oncoming traffic difficult to see.

As the area along CR95A north of SR97 is highly residential and currently has a Truck Prohibition, the County has plans to re-align the intersection at CR95A and SR97 to discourage through traffic on CR95A north of SR97, and to improve the transition between SR97 and CR95A. The re-alignment would also encourage motorists to make the safer choice to use the new traffic signal, which was recently installed at the intersection of US29 and SR97 (Atmore Cutoff) through a partnership between Escambia County and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), instead of accessing US29 or areas west of US29 from the northern terminus of CR95A.

The re-alignment would require work on the state-owned facility SR97, and various State of Florida requirements would make this re-alignment very costly. It was recommended that the County request that the portion of SR97 from SR95 to CR95A be transferred to the County, which would allow the intersection re-alignment project to be solely a County project.

In order to begin the right-of-way transfer process, the Board approved a letter at its regular meeting on 5/19/16, which was then forwarded onto FDOT District 3 Staff for review. Following acceptance of the letter, FDOT prepared the attached Agreement for BCC approval. Upon execution of the Agreement, FDOT District 3 Staff will forward the Agreement onto the State Secretary for final approval.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Upon execution of the Agreement and formal approval from FDOT Secretary, Jim Boxold, Escambia County will assume all right-of-way maintenance responsibilities for the subject roadway segment. It is planned that the design and construction of the traffic pattern modifications for SR97 will be handled with in-house resources.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The Agreement was reviewed and approved for Legal Sufficiency by the County Legal Office.

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Upon approval of the Agreement, the Escambia County Public Works Staff will coordinate with the FDOT District 3 Staff for full execution. Public Works Staff will distribute the Agreement to FDOT once signed.

Attachments
Agreement
Concept / Exhibit A
Reso / Exhibit B