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North Lauderdale commission reviews redesigned Southwest 80th Avenue surtax plan, orders engineering amendment
Summary
Commissioners heard a revised traffic-calming plan for Southwest 80th Avenue — lane‑narrowing, textured intersections and a diverter at 17th Street — and authorized $68,500 in additional engineering for redesign work tied to the Broward County surtax project.
The City Commission of North Lauderdale on a May workshop reviewed a redesigned traffic‑calming plan for Southwest 80th Avenue tied to the Broward County surtax program and approved an additional $68,500 in engineering for redesign work. Public Works and consultant teams presented narrowed lane widths, textured intersection pavement, and a “peanut” diverter at 17th Street to reduce crash risk near Pinewood Elementary.
The new cross‑section keeps the roadway as a multi‑lane facility but reduces individual lane widths from 12 feet to 11 and 10 feet to create a two‑foot buffer and 4‑foot bike lanes; textured thermoplastic at three intersections and raised diverter elements were proposed to slow speeds. Consultants said Broward County did not support converting the corridor to two through lanes but approved lane‑width reduction. Staff told the commission landscaping was not part of the surtax scope and would be pursued separately with the county and via other city funds if necessary.
Commissioners highlighted congestion and safety at the Seventeenth Street approach to the McNabb Road signal, where multiple turning movements from the residential development and school pick‑up increase crash potential. County traffic engineering told city staff the location did not meet signal‑warrant thresholds and would not approve a new signal; staff recommended a physical diverter to force right turns and reduce left‑turn conflicts. The commission authorized staff to send a letter to the two Broward County commissioners representing North Lauderdale asking for their support in pursuing a traffic signal or other remedies.
City administration and consultants said the surtax application requires the city to submit 100% construction drawings by the county deadline in August. To keep the project on schedule and preserve surtax reimbursement, the commission approved a $68,500 amendment to the engineering contract to complete redesign work and prepare final documents for submittal. Staff said if Broward County will accept landscaping under the surtax, that work would be packaged and returned to the commission for approval; if not, the city will pursue landscape design separately.
Commissioners also discussed downstream effects of the diverter (U‑turns at nearby signalized intersections and changes in signal timing) and asked staff to include signal‑timing adjustments and community outreach in implementation planning. The commission sought assurances the redesign and diverter could be implemented in time to align with the next school year.
The commission approved the engineering amendment on a roll call vote and directed staff to draft and send the county‑commission letter and to return with landscape options and an updated schedule.
Looking ahead, staff said the Broward County surtax program rules are changing and may make additional funds available through future interlocal agreements; staff will pursue those channels once new ILAs are issued.
