Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Pedestrian Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
MTPO transmits Transportation Alternatives application for 13th Street crossings and approves $100,000 interlocal amendment for county bike‑ped plan
Summary
The MTPO approved transmitting a Transportation Alternatives application for pedestrian crossings and refuge improvements on 13th Street between University Avenue and 5th Avenue and authorized an interlocal amendment with Alachua County to increase the bicycle‑pedestrian master plan budget by $100,000 (contract ceiling previously $254,700). Both motions passed unanimously.
The Gainesville MTPO on Jan. 5 voted to transmit a Transportation Alternatives application from the City of Gainesville for improvements on 13th Street between University Avenue and 5th Avenue, including two proposed new crossings (a raised crossing at the south location and an at‑grade crossing nearer 4th Avenue), pedestrian refuge islands and mid‑block high‑visibility crossings intended to address observed non‑motorist crash locations.
City transportation staff Debbie Lisonbee told the board the concept design is nearly complete and has prior FDOT PD&E approval and permitting; final design could include minor adjustments, but the project as proposed includes median work and pedestrian staging areas. "It would be pretty close to this," Lisonbee said of the presented concept, adding that there may be limited adjustments in final design.
Board members questioned the refuge and median dimensions, lane widths and whether crossings would be lighted; staff said outside lanes will retain a 12‑foot requirement per FDOT and that some lane narrowing could be considered to create pedestrian refuge without moving curb lines.
Separately, the board also approved an interlocal agreement amendment with Alachua County to authorize a contract amendment increasing the ceiling for the countywide Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan by $100,000 (the existing contract ceiling shown in materials was $254,700). Staff said the board had previously approved the additional funding in the planning work program and this agreement allows the county, as the contracting entity, to execute the amendment and be reimbursed by the MTPO.
The MTPO attorney noted two minor drafting corrections replacing erroneous references to "city" with "MTPO" in the agreement; the board approved the corrections and both motions passed unanimously.
Next steps: staff will incorporate board comments about median and lane‑width options into final design discussions with FDOT and city engineering, and the county will proceed to execute the contract amendment to expand feasibility analysis for the bike‑ped plan.
