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The Florida Department of Transportation, or F D O T welcomes you to the Public Meeting for the Northbound Tamiami Trail Complete Street Improvements. We appreciate your attendance and participation.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide you the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments about proposed improvements along Northbound Tamiami Trail, also known as US 41, from William Street to the Peace River Bridge in Charlotte County.

The project corridor is located in Charlotte County along Northbound Tamiami Trail (US 41) in Downtown Punta Gorda. The project begins at William Street and extends 0.9 miles north to the Peace River Bridge.

This project initially started as a Resurfacing, restoration and rehabilitation, or 3R, project. Discussions with the City of Punta Gorda revealed concerns with speed and safety within the project limits. A Vision Study was completed in 2021 to maximize the value of the 3R project by incorporating other positive elements that enhance safety and efficiency. The City of Punta Gorda City Council approved the Vision Study concept on October 20th, 2021.

During the analysis, the project team conducted extensive public outreach from regular meetings with local agencies and city staff, to holding focus groups and individual discussions with stakeholders interested in the project. Stakeholder concerns and feedback were gathered and, where feasible, incorporated into the project design.

The goals of this project are to:

US 41 is a 4-lane divided roadway from William Street to Carmalita Street that transitions to one-way pairs with three travel lanes north of Carmalita Street. North of Harborside Avenue, the left lane transitions to a left turn only lane to the Harborside Yacht Club and Four Points by Sheraton entrance. From there, the road continues on with two lanes until it reaches the Peace River Bridge.

The current configuration requires drivers to change lanes in order to drive through Downtown Punta Gorda.

There are sidewalks included on both sides of Tamiami Trail throughout the project limits, however, there are no bike lanes for the majority of the corridor.

Proposed improvements from William Street to Peace River Bridge

2 Continuous thru-lanes with dedicated turn lanes- Allows motorists to drive through Downtown Punta Gorda without lane changesTraffic calming measures- Roundabout at Carmalita Street- New traffic signal with crosswalks at Retta EsplanadeDedicated bike lanesAdditional crosswalks throughout project limitsNew pedestrian signal

Proposed Improvements include adding dedicated turn lanes throughout the corridor, adding a roundabout at the intersection of Carmalita Street, adding a new traffic signal at Retta Esplanade, and implementing pedestrian/bicycle safety improvements. These improvements include sidewalks along Tamiami Trail and a new pedestrian signal near Sacred Heart Catholic Church on southbound Tamiami Trail to connect to the Punta Gorda Pathways Linear Park.

Additionally, through lanes will be shifted so drivers no longer have to switch lanes to drive through Downtown Punta Gorda.

Typical Section 1 begins at William Street and features two 11-foot travel lanes with a 5-foot bike lane. A 5-foot to 8-foot sidewalk is located along the eastern side of the roadway, and a 5' sidewalk is located along the western side of the roadway. North of Taylor Street, there is a striped buffer on the left side. This typical section continues north until Charlotte Avenue.

The speed limit will be 40 miles per hour south of Carmalita St and 30 miles per hour between Carmalita Street and Charlotte Ave.

Traffic calming

One pedestrian signal proposed

One new crosswalk proposed

FDOT

The intersection of Tamiami Trail and Carmalita Street will be converted to a multi-lane roundabout as part of proposed improvements. This will serve as a traffic calming and safety enhancement for the project corridor. One new pedestrian signal and one new crosswalk are proposed near the roundabout to allow pedestrians to safely cross Tamiami Trail.

For more information on roundabouts, please refer to the informational handout found at the in-person meeting, on the project website at: www.swflroads.com/project/441524-1, or on the FDOT website at: www.fdot.gov/agencyresources/Roundabout. Project staff are also available to answer any questions regarding roundabouts tonight.

Typical Section 2 begins at Charlotte Avenue and features two 11-foot travel lanes, an 11-foot turn lane on either the right or left side when approaching intersections, and a 7-foot buffered bike lane. A 5 to 11-foot sidewalk is located along the eastern side of the roadway, and a 5' sidewalk is located along the western side of the roadway. This typical section continues north until Retta Esplanade.

Within this section the speed limit will be 30 miles per hour.

Typical Section 3 begins at Retta Esplanade and features two 11-foot travel lanes, with a 7-foot buffered bike lane. A 5-foot to 12-foot sidewalk is located along the eastern side of the roadway and a 6' sidewalk is located along the western side of the roadway separated from traffic with a striped buffer and landscaping strip. This typical section continues north until the Peace River Bridge.

Within this section the speed limit will be 35 miles per hour.

A new traffic signal with crosswalks is proposed at Retta Esplanade. FDOT will continue coordination with the City regarding future development around Retta Esplanade.

At this time, the F D O T 's Tentative Five-Year Work Program includes funding for the Design, Right-of-Way, and Construction Phases. The Design and Right-of-way phases are currently ongoing. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting:

Cynthia Sykes District One Title VI Coordinator 801 N. Broadway Avenue Bartow, FL 33830-3809 863-519-2287 Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us Stefan Kulakowski

Stefan Kulakowski

Stefan Kulakowski State Title VI Coordinator 605 Suwannee St., MS 65 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 850-414-4742 stefan.kulakowski@dot.state.fl.us

stefan.kulakowski@dot.state.fl.us

Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons wishing to express concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting:

Cynthia Sykes

The District One Title VI Coordinator

By mail at 801 N. Broadway Avenue

Bartow, FL 33830-3809

By phone at 863-519-2287

Or by email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us

Stefan Kulakowski The State Title VI Coordinator By mail at 605 Suwannee St., MS 65 Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 By phone at 850-414-4742 Stefan.Kulakowski@dot.state.fl.us

How to Provide Feedback

Submit questions or comments by February 10, 2023, to be entered into the meeting record

on comment form

FDOT Project Manager Christopher.Speese@dot.state.fl.us

Florida Department of Transportation 10041 Daniels Pkwy Fort Myers, FL 33913 FDOT

F D O T is asking local governments, regulatory agencies and the public to provide comments about the proposed improvements under consideration. We encourage you to complete the comment form and drop it in one of the boxes provided tonight or, if you prefer, you may mail your comments, postmarked by February 10, 2023, to the address on the comment form. You may also submit comments through the project website, using the website address listed on your handout and on this slide. Comments may be submitted at any time, however, to be included as part of the public meeting record, comments must be received or postmarked by February 10, 2023. The project team will consider all comments and, where feasible, will incorporate them into the proposed improvements.

Meeting comments and responses will be available on the project website approximately 30 days following the close of the formal comment period.

You may visit the project website at www.swflroads.com/project/441524-1 for the latest project information, schedule, and upcoming events.

The project team is here tonight to answer your questions and listen to your comments. We invite you to speak with them and to review the aerial maps, plans, and illustrations on display.

Thank you for your interest in the proposed Tamiami Trail Complete Street Improvements and for taking time to participate in this meeting. We look forward to your comments and your continued involvement in this important project.