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Northbound Tamiami Trail (US 41) Vision Study from William Street to Peace River Bridge Public Involvement Activities Summary

Public Involvement Activities – Summary

Extensive public involvement was performed as part of the Northbound Tamiami Trail (US 41) Vision Study to better understand the vision of the community and existing issues along the corridor.

Public Involvement Activities – Summary

• Weekly meetings with City staff
• Meetings with Officials
• Presentations to MPO Committees & Board
• Stakeholder Meetings – Chambers & Economic Development Partnership
• 6 Stakeholder Focus Groups – 18 organizations/21 participants
• Individual Stakeholder Discussions – 14 organizations

*SEE TABLE ON NEXT SLIDE FOR SPECIFIC MEETING DATES

• City social media platforms
• Email Blasts/Ad
• Newsletter
• Website Comment Forms (via website or email) – 20+ comments received Questionnaire – 255 responses with 180 comments received Public Involvement Tools

• Comment Forms (via website or email) – 20+ comments received
• Questionnaire – 255 responses with 180 comments received

Public Involvement Tools

Public Involvement Activities – List of Meetings

MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization

Public Involvement Activities – List of Meetings (continued)

MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization

Public Involvement Activities – List of Meetings (continued)

MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization

Public Involvement Activities – List of Meetings (continued)

MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization

Public Involvement Activities – List of Meetings (continued)

MPO = Metropolitan Planning Organization

Public Involvement Activities – Results Top Comments

• Inconsistent travel speeds/signal re-timing
• Lane changing/lane designations
• Aggressive driving – turn lanes used as raceways
• Wrong way driving
• Better connect Downtown across US 41
• Better accommodate visitor traffic – enhanced pedestrian and bicycle facilities
• Separate spaces for pedestrians, bicycles, & vehicles
• Traffic calming
• In favor of traffic signal at Retta Esplanade
• Roundabout education • No parking on US 41

• No parking on US 41

Stakeholder Focus Groups

Stakeholder Focus Groups

The following 6 Stakeholder Focus Groups were held:

• Group A (Establishments near Carmalita St & Olympia Ave): 5/18/2021
• Group B (Hotels/Businesses north of Marion Ave): 5/19/2021
• Group C (Bike/Transit/Freight): 5/20/2021
• Group D (Traditionally Underserved/Under Represented): 5/24/2021
• Group E (Religious Centers): 5/24/2021
• Group F (Homeowner Associations): 5/27/2021

Stakeholder Focus Group A Establishments near Carmalita St & Olympia Ave

Establishments Invited To Participate:

• Cross Trails Center
• Chase Bank
• Marathon Gas Station/The Famous Corner Store
• Verizon
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church
• Punta Gorda Chocolate & Wine/Punta Gorda Coffee & Tea
• Gregg's Automotive Maintenance & Repair Center
• Sandra's
• Array of Cabinets - McCrory Law Firm - CAM Realty
• McCrory Law Firm

• CAM Realty
• Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management

Stakeholder Focus Group A – Comments Received

Stakeholder Focus Group B Hotels/Businesses north of Marion Ave

Hotels/Businesses Invited To Participate:

• Four Points by Sheraton Punta Gorda Harborside
• Springhill Suites by Marriott Punta Gorda Harborside
• The Wyvern Hotel
• Dean's South of the Border
• Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
• Smugglers Group
• Blue Turtle & FM Dons
• Perfect Caper • Celtic Ray

• Celtic Ray

Stakeholder Focus Group B – Comments Received

Stakeholder Focus Group C Bike/Transit/Freight

Entities Invited To Participate:

• TEAM Punta Gorda/Share the Lane Punta Gorda
• Charlotte County-Punta Gorda MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Chair & Vice Chair)
• Peace River Riders
• Coastal Cruisers
• Charlotte County Transit Division
• Charlotte County Public Schools Transportation
• Cheney Brothers Florida Department of Transportation District One Freight
• Florida Department of Transportation District One Freight
• Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management FDOT

Stakeholder Focus Group C – Comments Received

lane changing

inconsistent travel speeds

aggressive driving

GENERAL CONCERNS / ISSUES / PROBLEM LOCATIONS

Carmalita Street

lack of lane continuity north of Taylor

conflicts for bikes north of Taylor

the left lane north of Retta Esplanade

pedestrian access north of Marion Ave

separate bridge for bikes/peds

lane drop near Four Seasons is a big issue Aqui Esta left turn issues for bikes - off project limits

Aqui Esta left turn issues for bikes - off project limits

traffic calming

Lane Designations

signal re-timing

dedicated alternative use lanes

dedicated turn lanes

consistent travel times

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS / PRIORITIES

Lower speed limit may reduce through traffic.

Add bike lanes north of Airport Rd - off project limits.

Use Cooper St as alternate route around downtown.

no issue with cycletrack if there is room. Good for high traffic area.

on-street only

combination of on-street parking & parking garages

PARKING

Any garages will need to be near downtown

lack of parking currently in downtown

OTHER

mountable curbs for trucks

freight deliveries will remain even if not a major through corridor - most traffic generators are further south

Stakeholder Focus Group D Traditionally Underserved/Under Represented

Entities Invited To Participate:

• Charlotte County Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board
• Volunteers of America
• Punta Gorda Housing Authority
• The Salvation Army Family Store
• New Operation Cooper Street, Inc.
• Bethel AME
• First Macedonia Church
• St. Mary Primitive Baptist
• Meals on Wheels
• Habitat for Humanity • Charlotte County Human Services Department • Charlotte County Community Development Department
• Charlotte County Human Services Department

• Charlotte County Community Development Department
• Charlotte County Community Services Department

Stakeholder Focus Group D – Comments Received

GENERAL CONCERNS / ISSUES / PROBLEM LOCATIONS

lane changing Carmalita Street

inconsistent travel speeds

aggressive driving the left lane north of Retta Esplanade Account for ADA improvements/access for surrounding populations (age, underserved)

the left lane north of Retta Esplanade

pedestrian access north of Marion Ave

Turning out of Wyvern - issue

Account for ADA improvements/access for surrounding populations (age, underserved) drag race north of Retta Esplanade - pulling out to go North- dangerous 170,000 platted lots - master planned communities - this stretch of city is a bottleneck - 3-2 lanes

drag race north of Retta Esplanade - pulling out to go North- dangerous

Elder Demographic population - pulling around slower drivers leads to aggressive driving & inconsistent travel speeds benefit to keep things as is - slower speeds / congestion - regulates speed

Elder Demographic population - pulling around slower drivers leads to aggressive driving & inconsistent travel speeds

crossing Carmalita at US 41 - issue

Safety improvements for school kids - buses use corridor & cross next time bridge project - paint bike lane green - examples in Lee & Collier

Carmalita - talk to School Board

Bridge is constrained too - better accommodate multimodal aspects in future

slower traffic makes it more walkable

neighborhoods east of US 41 NB are underserved - increase access across roadway by foot/bike

traffic calming

Lane Designations

signal re-timing

dedicated alternative use lanes

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS / PRIORITIES

dedicated turn lanes

Teeth to policies & enforcement - traffic cameras Phase I: strengthen existing crossings; Phase II - additional

consistent travel times

Phase I: strengthen existing crossings; Phase II - additional

May want to look at parallel facilities for other bike/ped facilities - better linkage to other streets downtown - enhance access to other facilities across US 41

Carmalita is priority crossing

Accommodate for visitors - heavy bike/ped traffic

Consider scooters/micro-mobility modes in design

How to account for human nature - enforcement needs to be a priority for improvements to be beneficial

on-street only

combination of on-street parking & parking garages

PARKING

Sunseeker proposing garage - not sure if public - intent for parking and walking in downtown

Parking doesn't affect County

Parking hasn't been an issue

On-street parking could be an issue on US 41 due to demographics

Event Center uses parking on Taylor & vacant area - once vacant area gets developed - could cause an issue - walking several blocks not appealing to population of area & given weather - may need another garage

OTHER

HAWK signals - may be appropriate at vacant lot, Retta Esplanade, Carmalita, Taylor/W Charlotte

Crossing W Charlotte and US 41 - dangerous for pedestrians

Stakeholder Focus Group E Religious Centers

Religious Centers Invited To Participate:

• Church of the Good Shepherd
• Church of the Nazarene
• Deep Creek Community Church
• First Baptist Church Punta Gorda
• First United Methodist Church
• Peace River Baptist Church
• Punta Gorda Seventh Church • Souls Harbor Church of God
• Souls Harbor Church of God

Stakeholder Focus Group E – Comments Received

No Religious Centers Attended/Participated

Stakeholder Focus Group F Homeowner Associations

Homeowner Associations Invited To Participate:

• Burnt Store Isles Association Inc.
• Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association
• Historic Punta Gorda Civic Association
• Realtors Association
• Private Citizen

Stakeholder Focus Group F – Comments Received

GENERAL CONCERNS / ISSUES / PROBLEM LOCATIONS

lane changing Carmalita Street

inconsistent travel speeds

aggressive driving

pedestrian access north of Marion Ave White lines on road - pedestrians took as crosswalks - need signal SB on US 41 at Retta Esplanade - make uniform for pedestrians crossing both NB & SB US 41 at Retta Esplanade Wrong way driving - need better signage or pavement markings - Carmalita roundabout may help too

Traffic signal is great at Retta Esplanade - lots of pedestrian traffic

White lines on road - pedestrians took as crosswalks - need signal SB on US 41 at Retta Esplanade - make uniform for pedestrians crossing both NB & SB US 41 at Retta Esplanade

Look at Edgewater roundabout - may help with

demographic issues regarding roundabout use

Wrong way driving - need better signage or pavement markings - Carmalita roundabout may help too

Elderly population may have difficulty with roundabout

Get rid of free flow lane at Taylor - get rid of pavement on east side - left turn only at Olympia - left turn only at Retta - eliminate merging at bridge Multi-lane roundabouts - could increase accidents - creates confusion - need to educate - need to have correct markings for proper use

Speeding is problem-keep traffic flow at reasonable speed - drag stip to NB bridge

Pedestrians have hard time crossing at roundabouts

on-street only

combination of on-street parking & parking garages

PARKING

Keep on-street parking off US 41 - can cause accidents & slow traffic flow

Parking garages offer much more space

There might be a garage built at event center

traffic calming

Lane Designations

signal re-timing

dedicated alternative use lanes

dedicated turn lanes

Landscaping - looks nice - be careful regarding tree size

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS / PRIORITIES

Lane designations are important - Orlando is example - improved traffic & confusion

Signal timing coordination - could increase speed - get traffic through at reasonable pace while balancing bike/pedestrian safety

Brick pedestrian crossings at Midway look nice - maybe consider as accents since brick/cobblestone can be problematic/not as safe for scooters/folks with disabilities

Left lane to bridge - PLEASE FIX! Signal timing coordination - could increase speed - get traffic through at reasonable pace while balancing bike/pedestrian safety

Address pedestrian crossings/flow across US 41 at Retta Esplanade - especially with visitors in area due to hotels, event center, waterfront, & restaurants Brick pedestrian crossings at Midway look nice - maybe consider as accents since brick/cobblestone can be problematic/not as safe for scooters/folks with disabilities

Balance between ADA compliant & aesthetic treatments

OTHER

Like scramble crosswalks ITS would be helpful

ITS would be helpful

Countdown at signals for pedestrians/motorists - helpful 2045 LRTP identifies new bridge to east of existing bridge - additional bridge to US 41 bridge - could be "new" US 41 bridge - look at Fort Myers I-75 bridge as example

Traffic study done for Sunseekers? - need to accommodate visitors from airport to US 41

2045 LRTP identifies new bridge to east of existing bridge - additional bridge to US 41 bridge - could be "new" US 41 bridge - look at Fort Myers I-75 bridge as example

Questionnaire Results

Questionnaire Results High Scores from Questionnaire

PRIORITYES:

• Consistent Travel Time
• Dedicated Turn Lanes
• Enhanced Lane Markings

Priorities

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Pedestrian – Enhanced Sidewalk
• Bicycle – Shared Use Path

Pedestrian Improvements

Bicycle Improvements

Questionnaire Results Low Scores from Questionnaire

PRIORITYES:

• On-Street Parking
• Resurface Road Only

Priorities

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Pedestrian
• Bicycle
• Existing Sidewalk
• Curb Extension
• Diagonal Crosswalk
• Separated Bike Lanes
• Bike Lane/Shared Use Path Together

Pedestrian Improvements

Bicycle Improvements

Questionnaire Results

• Ranking of Study Priorities (a lower number represents a higher priority ranking):

Consistent Travel Time

Bicycle Facilities

Dedicated Turn Lanes

Traffic Calming

Average Priority Rankings:

• Consistent Travel Time – 2.63
• Bicycle Facilities – 2.76
• Dedicated Turn Lanes – 2.76
• Traffic Calming – 2.84

Questionnaire Results

• Ranking of Study Priorities (a lower number represents a higher priority ranking):

Resurface Road Only

Pedestrian Facilities

Enhanced Lane Marki...

OnStreet Parking

Average Priority Rankings:

• Resurfacing Road Only – 2.84
• Pedestrian Facilities – 2.94
• Enhanced Lane Markings – 2.99
• On Street Parking – 3.80

Questionnaire Results

• Pedestrian Features Rankings (a higher number represents a greater preference for feature):

Existing Sidewalk

Times rated: 161 Average rating: 2.453

Curb Extension

Times rated: 199 Average rating: 2.618

Diagonal Crosswalk

Shared Use Path

Times rated: 162 Average rating: 3.586

Enhanced Sidewalk

Times rated: 169 Average rating: 3.947

Average Priority Rankings:

• Enhanced Sidewalk – 3.95
• Shared Use Path – 3.59
• Diagonal Crosswalk – 2.70
• Curb Extension – 2.62
• Existing Sidewalk – 2.45

Questionnaire Results

• Bicycle Features Rankings (a higher number represents a greater preference for feature):

2Way Separated Bi...

Times rated: 151 Average rating: 2.146

Bike Lane Shared U...

Times rated: 159 Average rating: 2.296

1 Way Separated Bi...

Times rated: 161 Average rating: 2.422

Buffered Bike Lane

Times rated: 193 Average rating: 3.083

Shared Use Path

Times rated: 168 Average rating: 3.595

Average Priority Rankings:

• Shared Use Path – 3.60
• Buffered Bike Lane – 3.10
• 1-Way Separated Bike Lanes – 2.42
• Bike Lane-Shared Use Path – 2.30
• 2-Way Separated Bike Lanes – 2.15

Contact

Richard (OJ) Oujevolk

Project Development Manager, Environmental Management Florida Department of Transportation 863-519-2293 Richard.Oujevolk@dot.state.fl.us