Staff has proposed multiple short term congestion management projects that could be implemented over the next couple/few years (short term) and provided a couple emails to the County Administrator detailing such projects, and some concerns with the proposed long term option (roundabouts and pedestrian underpasses). See attached emails...
Below are the proposed projects with approximate cost estimates, but as stated in the emails, there are other short term options that could fairly easily be deployed or implemented on Pensacola Beach [e.g. exclusive pedestrian interval at existing traffic signals (see attached description), smart parking, etc.] that could provide some marginal to substantial positive impacts to the existing congestion issues. Staff also mentions the development of an Special Event Management Plan (approx. $50K):
- Construct the Pensacola Beach Blvd. Access Road Project (Design complete) - Construction estimate is $1,500,000 ($600,000 available / $900,000 needed)
- Construct the Bob Sikes Bridge Fishing Pier, Parking and Trail Restoration Project (Design complete) - Construction estimate is $1,000,000 ($832,000 available through Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) / $168,000 needed)
- Complete design of Phase II (Additional Parking Areas - Casino Beach and Fire Station lots) - Funds encumbered in Purchase Order $256,825 ($0.00 needed)
- Construct Phase II (Additional Parking Areas - Casino Beach and Fire Station lots) Construction estimate is $1,000,000 ($1,000,000 needed)
- Design the parking lot improvements at Old Visitor Information Center (VIC) - Design estimate is $50,000 - ($50,000 needed)
- Construct the Old VIC parking lot improvements - Construction estimate is $50,000 (Cost could increase due to decision on how the Old VIC Building will be handled) ($50,000+ needed)
Conceptual estimate to fund the above stated projects would cost approx. $2,210,000, but the inclusion of the signal hardware / software for ATMS / exclusive pedestrian interval, smart parking, special event mgt. plan, etc. would increase the estimate.
Outside of the congestion management projects, and in the emails, Staff mentioned concerns with the existing roadway condition for both CR399 (Pensacola Beach Blvd. / Via de Luna Drive) and Fort Pickens Road, and failing lateral pipes. Staff has replaced 7 of the 13 failing pipes ($350K - pulled from the Pensacola Beach Blvd. Access Road Project balance), but recommends allocating funding to address the resurfacing of the two roadways and replacing the remaining 6 failing pipes. Though not congestion related, this is a safety issue that should be addressed. Staff's conceptual cost estimates is approx. $5-5.25M for both roads and replacing of the remaining pipes.
As for the long term option (roundabouts and pedestrian underpasses), Staff addresses some concerns (fiscal, O&M, etc.) that should be discussed and considered by the Board. Below is a summation of Staff's concerns:
Fiscal concerns:
Design, Construction Engineering Inspection (CEI), and Construction of the Roundabouts and Pedestrian Underpasses would cost approx. $13,500,000 according to Volkert's estimates. $1,100,000 is encumbered in the Purchase Order to Volkert for design. If design were to proceed to 100%, the County would need approx. $12,500,000 for CEI and Construction.
Operational and Other concerns:
Utility impacts, operation and maintenance of the underpasses (pump system, sand intrusion, etc.), business impacts during construction (CST timeline of 1-2 years), maintenance of traffic during construction (use of parallel road/parking areas for traffic diversion), etc. The borings conducted by Volkert late 2017 show water table at 3.44' at Pensacola Beach Blvd. underpass location, 5.01' at Fort Pickens underpass location, and 5.66' at Via de Luna Drive underpass location. The underpass would be constructed approx. 4" to 6" above the water table with 8' walking clearance. See attached borings documents...
It appears that Staff recommends that all viable short term projects / options be implemented or deployed first, allow ample time to evaluate the impacts of such, and determine after the evaluation period as to whether a more intensive option (i.e. roundabouts and pedestrian underpasses) would then be necessary to attempt to alleviate the traffic issues on Pensacola Beach. |