Surf related due to getting you in the water slower as a result of these road "upgrades".

OK, so pretty obvious how I feel about this debacle.  I have not talked to anyone that is in favor of how any of this is being implemented.  I really liked the idea of adding medians and crosswalks, but the FDOT has done a royally horrendous job IMO.  Somehow, there seems to be no accountability to the cities or county.  FDOT just seems to get to do things however poorly they want and, no matter how screwed up it is, no one has any authority to halt them and get things done correctly.  

 

A few examples: 

- placing new medians right over existing medians from 20 or more years ago.  For example, at Pinetree (by Lowes) the left turn lane heading North always backs up into A1A.  They had ample room to make the turn lane 3 times longer than it is was to fit more cars, yet they poured it in the same exact footprint as the old one.  Not to mention it actually sticks out into the lane.

- medians are placed in areas that dont have enough room for cars to slow without almost coming to a stop on A1A first, this clogging traffic even more on A1A.

- crosswalks were put in places pedestrians wont use.  If you walk down your street to cross A1A, if you have to walk 50 yards south/north to the crosswalk, no one is going to use it.

- the crosswalks are now mandatory car stops on A1A.  This is impractical for this section of A1A where people are goiing 50+ mph to stop 4 lanes of traffic.  IMO its a deathwish to walk out in front of a stopped car on A1A.

- the south entrance/exit was blocked with a median at Pelican Park so cars from the south entrance can no longer turn South.  Yet, the angled parking in Pelican forces you to come out the south entrance when you exit if you park on the west side of the parking lot (creating more congestion in Pelican Park by looping cars trying to get to the North entrance to turn south).

This names but a few.  Would love to hear opinions.

Yeah the Pelican situation is a mess...I always like to give the benefit of the doubt and assume these things were done intentionally and it's just me that doesn't get it, but that one is a head scratcher for sure.

I fully agree. Between work and surf missions, it takes me about 40 mins to get through this mess every morning during work hours. "- placing new medians right over existing medians from 20 or more years ago. For example, at Pinetree (by Lowes) the left turn lane heading North always backs up into A1A. They had ample room to make the turn lane 3 times longer than it is was to fit more cars, yet they poured it in the same exact footprint as the old one. Not to mention it actually sticks out into the lane." I saw a car literally bounce off that median where it sticks out and somehow by the grace of god there was no cars to the right of her, when her car shot directly into the right hand shoulder after she hit it. They need to shave that thing off or there is going to be a serious accident there one day.

If they think people are going to stop for pedestrians at the crossing areas they are going to have to lower the speed limit tp 35mph. I have a feeling it is coming.

Up near the Brdwlk there is a crossing and 99% of the cars do not stop for peds?

.

My beach access has no lights, crosswalks, etc.  So far 2 people have been killed by being hit by cars as speeds reach 50+ mph in this section. 

.

Most dangerous thing about surfing my break is crossing A1A.  One thing I stopped doing long ago was crossing half way to the turn lane then waiting again to cross...that was dumb. Not sure what would fix this other than a stop light to keep people reaching max speeds. 

Is there a site that details what they are planning for the Indialantic seection of A1A?

I wonder too about the speed limit.  That is the only benefit so far is that it has/will slow the flow of traffic on A1A which often exceeds 55 mph.  But poor engineering to slow people down is not right.  

 

Here's a link to the project.  Completion date was Summer 2018.  They better start humping.  Imagine that, they are behind schedule.

 

http://www.cflroads.com/project/428753-1/SR_A1A_Miramar_Avenue_from_North_of_SR_500_US_192_to_South_of_SR_404_Pineda_Causeway 

Complete waste of money and makes the road more dangerous. Plus, the median often isn't even flowing with the lane, having pieces of the geometry hanging out in the lane. Ridiculous!

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

Spot-on Karma!

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Surfing is my passion...obsesssion... addiction! Can't imagine life without it!

Thanks for the link sfds, no changes at my neighborhood beach access except drainage improvement, you would think after 2 deaths in this area from cars hitting people crossing A1A they would do something to allow for a safer crossing. Lost a surfing friend and a neighbor down the street. Another neighborhood surfer barely missed being hit when a car lost control..not sure what they could do other than a light or speed cameras/police to slow everyone down to 45.  With the 2 new oceanfront condos being built on this stretch traffic is just going to get worse/more dangerous.

I cross routinely at the Crosswalk by the ABC in Indialantic.  I can't tell you how many times I just paitently wait and someone (usually from out of state) will politely stop and I will cringe as the local's behind them squeel their tires as they slam their brakes in disbelief that someone actually stopped for a ped.  I'm going to see something bad some day.  It's a given.

Yeah, and I ride a bike as much as I surf now due to shoulder issues I hope to resolve soon.  The bike/turn lane into Paradise and up at Radisson have been chewed pavement for a year?  Seriously?  

And the right angle medians so periously close to the lanes?  Granted, there have been studies that show skinnying lanes forces people to pay attention and slow down.  Until we get (hard to believe it will ever happen) people off their damn phones, I will continually see crazy close calls and people hitting the medians.  Saw a truck about kill a car up by Desoto last week when he "readjusted" after hitting the median.

I was at one of the planning meetings sponsored by the city a few years ago. I was telling their traffic engineer that nobody would use those mid-block crossings.

He replied that a study showed fewer dogs died if they crossed mid-block rather than at intersections where streets and sidewalks dump into highways like A1A. True story.

The geometry and length of the left-lane turn medians is piss-poor. Maybe good in concept, but terrible in implementation. Not to mention traffic light timing; it's now a 2-cycle wait to turn left at some of the red lights.

The short left turn lane turning west onto Sunrise requires slowing down to 35 mph (while in the left, passing lane) of A1A in order to make the turn. Barely acceptable when there is no traffic, but incredibly dangerous at peak hours when backed-up cars waiting to turn left are stopped in the passing lane.

Numerous people have expressed desire for a 35 mph speed limit on A1A throughout the mid-reach area. It would support more density and development along the corridor, potentially making it easier for cars to stop and support new businesses. The cynical side of me suspects some of this may be a trojan horse to necessitate that end.

From a beautification perspective, the increased signage (NO U-turn, STOP for pedestrians, and so on) is rather busy and unattractive. I sincerely hope they find some way to spruce that up.

It sucks. I live across from pelican and have to do the brake/swerve into the turn lane to avoid getting rear ended on A1A. We also now have people making U turns in the entrance of Royal Palm making it even more adventurous. Summertime is going to suck with all of the Pelican beach traffic since there si really only one usable entrance now. I've heard multiple rumors of the 35MPH speed limit, doubt it will do anything but raise the money for the local PD.

Maybe they're fixing the fix?

Yesterday, while waiting to turn left on A1A from Eau Gallie, I saw this guy fine-tuning the curb with a sledge hammer.

The road seriously has been quite dangerous for many years imo. 

Like others have said, after the Nancy Chance incident, I stay well off the side of the road and NEVER STOP in the median. Believe it or not it's quit fortunate the light at Paradise just changes every 60 seconds or so or I would never get across. 

For these crosswalks to become viable will absolutely require a reduced speed limit and more signage. 

They added larger bike lanes but the SUVS and trucks barely fit in the lanes, let alone the every 4 vehicles is a lawn service trailer or offshore fishing boat.  Where are they, half in the bike lane. I don't use them.

It doesn't help the situation that drivers here don't follow the law about yielding to pedestrians crossing the road. State law says that if they have one foot in the crosswalk, then automobiles are required to stop and let them cross. 

I'm not a fan of how tons of signs look, but they do tend to be a bit more effective. Where I lived on the guld coast, they put up a ton of crosswalks and signs with lights. It looks way too 'busy', but no one has gotten hit that I know of since then.

Florida is the worst state for pedestrians.  

A1A was designed on the notion that there would be no pedestrians.  I'm not sure that design took into account that speed limits would be ignored.  

 

A stretch of A1A in the congested area of St. Augustine Beach has a new, simple safety measure. Baskets have been hung on existing poles on both sides of intersections with traffic lights. The baskets hold pink plastic flags. Pedestrians crossing grab a flag and wave it as they cross. I was skeptical until I saw someone using it for the first time. It really does grab your attention.

, , , , , , , , the Medical Examiner is trying to determine the origin of the pink flag that was imbedded in the body, , , , , , , , , ,

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Dora Hates You

At the locations with signs that read "stop here for pedestrians", it will require a flashing yellow like they have on 192 in old Melbourne. Otherwise people won't know what to do.

That monstrosity at Pinetree & A1A is the biggest piece of shit I've ever seen hahaha

I'm definitely glad that I don't need to turn there for work anymore, because they absolutely F'ed that left hand turn lane up into a dangerous and annoying joke.

The old "island" at least was low, and allowed you to slowly roll over it if you needed to get into the turn lane.

Now, it holds about 2 cars, which means if there are 3 cars going straight, you cant get into the turn lane because the curb is 24" tall hahaha.

SO.. you have to hold up the whole intersection waiting for the next green arrow. Which in turn holds up the next guy, and so on.

What's more, its so tall, that if you graze it, you are going to actually rip up your rim.

I have taken to simply crossing through the LOWE's parking lot now to make that left turn rather than deal with the POS they have plopped there.

I wonder if the traffic engineering geniuses saw THAT obvious outcome as part of their safety evaluation

Somebody simply needs to take a sledgehammer to it.

and while we are on the subject of the median at A1A & Eau Gallie- is that a weed and trash garden they've had goin on there for the past 20 years?

I mean, has there ever been an uglier traffic island? I've seen nicer median landscaping in Riveria Beach. Way to go Eau Gallie! Represent

That's a good point. You gave me the idea to look into sponsoring that little median for the pub. Cheryl can landscape it and I can sell chicken wings and NA beers to cars waiting at the red light. Cha-ching!

+1

Pedestrians in Florida are "open season"!!

There are cities in California where pedestrians are much more protected. So, you're going to cross at a crosswalk, and you see that the "traffic" is clear. The moment you step off the curb all traffic, in both directions, must stop until you step up onto the opposite curb, even if it is a divided 4 lane road.

Oh and, long ago in 1964 when I started surfing my mother was so VERY UPSET. My father told her to cool her jets because I "swam like a fish". My mother said "no, I'm not worried about the ocean but, HE'S CROSSING A1A!!"

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Dora Hates You

 

It is not a given that your involvement upfront will give you the solution that you want. Personal letters to your representatives expressing your concerns, interests and solutions have a huge impact. Especially if you are registered to vote and make that clear in you letter. 

20/20 Hindsight but:

http://spacecoasttpo.com/event/public-hearing-for-sr-a1a-improvements/

Suscribe to the SCTPO Newsletter to stay informed: 

http://spacecoasttpo.com/sctpo-newsletter/

Check the rest of the site to see whats coming next by looking at the Long Range Plan.

http://spacecoasttpo.com

 

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Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

 

To that point for whatever it is worth, here is a copy and pastable email list for Indialantic, IHB, Satellite and Brevard County and the FDOT inquiry email.  As pointed out, not that the FDOT is going to admit this debacle and re-do it, but the more people express dis-satisfaction to the city's, the more they will learn and understand how this isnt working.  

mkilcullen@indialantic.com; rgreer@indialantic.com; dunn@indialantic.com">ddunn@indialantic.com; sglass@indialantic.com; cchinault@indialantic.com; panicola@indianharbour.org">dpanicola@indianharbour.org; snickle@indianharbour.org; gnewberry@indianharbour.org; jnolan@indianharbour.org; fguertin@indianharbour.org; mryan@indianharbour.org; fcatino@satellitebeach.org; sosmer@satellitebeach.org; mbrimer@satellitebeach.org; mgibson@satellitebeach.org; montanaro@satellitebeach.org">dmontanaro@satellitebeach.org; cbarker@satellitebeach.org; 1.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov">D1.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov; 2.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov">D2.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov; 3.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov">D3.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov; 4.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov">D4.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov; 5.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov">D5.Commissioner@BrevardFL.gov; Laurie.Windham@dot.state.fl.us; 5-pio@dot.state.fl.us">d5-pio@dot.state.fl.us 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Absolutly the best approach to take at this time. Send Photo’s, video’s along with written specifics of the problems that exist. Include your public comments that you submitted during fesability study meeting.

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Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

Ive crossed A1A all my life and never had a life threatening situation and yes I walk across A1A at least 5-6 times a week. 

 

 

Thats what I thought for the last 30 years, BUT... I am coming back from the beach and see one lone slower car coming south in the fast lane. I see 15 cars 1/4 mile behind him coming like a bat-out o hell. So I time it perfect, start to jog across so that I pass behind the slow car and in front of the pack of fast cars.

The slow car is from out-o town, as I jog across, it STOPS In THE FAST LANE and the guy waves me across. I about shit. The pack of cars is still doing 60 and now they are only seconds away. I turned and ran back to the beach side of the road.

If I went in front of him I could have been plowed, if I stayed put people veering around him could have veered into the turn lane to avoid hitting him and again I could get plowed...

As Im running back to the other side I am hearing horns being blow and squeals of tires as people swerve and brake to avoid the guy.

                                                                                            

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IHB LOWES. they are making people flow through the LOWES parking lot because of that stupid fucking median. it only fits like 3-4 cars and everyone else is stuck in the northbound lanes by the time you get to the turning lane its fucking red with no chance of turning.

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scientia potentia est

 

Agree.  The turning lane is actually the same size as it was previously.  Which is assanine becuase it should, and could, be made much longer due to.....ummmmmm 20 years of growth?  The length of the red light will get fixed once the project is complete.  I know that sucks for the next god knows how many months.  Its a joke.  its green for like literally 5 seconds.

 

Here's another genius move by the FDOT:  How about the new stop lights on the big overhanging poles they have not turned on yet.  In the Northbound lanes, anyone notice how the pole they hung allllll the way across the road  to hold the southbound redlights ....it blocks the northbound lights in your field of view as your approaching the light.  

Yes, there were several public hearings about the project before it began, but I don't know if there's evidence public input changed anything. As mentioned above, I told the engineer the mid-block crossings were unlikely to get used, but that input was apparently dismissed without further consideration. Give the cities credit for trying though.

But it's evident now, in hindsight, that you can't really judge the layout in a static manner. The plans looked pretty reasonable on paper. You need something dynamic, like a driving simulation, to see how unworkable the resulting product is in the real world.

Paddleout's shortcut thru Lowes is not the only one. Students (and some parents dropping them off) on their way to SHS close to the morning bell are taking the shortcuts thru Publix and Nippon Thai to avoid the long left-turn red light.

I've seen some of the lights go to blinking yellow (for straight thru) and blinking red arrow (for left turns) so you can at least go when it's clear.

But those median strips may be unfixable with only light timing; I suspect a sledgehammer will be required. The cities/DOT would have to admit to the shortcomings, and then pony up funds for a re-do. Sadly, I don't see that happening.

Going to be 35mph, just like Coo Coo Beach.

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Dora Hates You

 

Key word is “CONSIDER”. They aren’t required to design/engineer based on public comments.

Public outcry to representatives gets more consideration.

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Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

I AGREE THAT CURB AT LOWES IS CRAZY AND THEY COULD HAVE EXTENDED THE TURNING LANE. I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT THE OTHER DAY ACTUALLY. MAYBE THEY MADE THE CURBS LIKE THAT TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM DRIVING OVER. LOOK AT ALL THE RUBBER FROM PEOPLE HITTING THEM ALREADY. IM JUST HOLDING OUT HOPE THIS WILL ALL BE FIXED ONCE THEY PAVE THE NEW ROAD. MAYBE IT WILL BE WIDER. HOPEFULLY THEY LANDSCAPE IT AND IT LOOKS NICE. IM ALL FOR LOWERING THE SPEED LIMIT AS PEOPLE GO 50-60MPH. WELL SEE BUT IT SEEMS THIS PROJECT IS AT A STANDSTILL RIGHT NOW.

Nobody should be driving 50+ mph on that road. A long time ago...somebody F'ed up by not making A1A two lane and the river road four lane. And its always sketchy trying to cross five lanes of traffic (counting suicide lane) moving at 50+

It is, WHAT IT IS. Years too late in bitching about it now. But, when/if enough people write and complain about it, , , , they might get around to fixing it in 5 or so years. Just saying.

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Dora Hates You

Wow, Did I write this and forgot. 100% Spot On!

 

^^ +10!

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ola ~

All those years ago 1960's into the 1970's, , , , , A1A HAD to be 4 Laned due to all of the PAFB and Cape traffic.

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Dora Hates You

im sorry but if you cant walk across A1A in 45-50mph traffic you shouldnt be allowed to. Theres nothing wrong with the speed limit. Ive crossed A1A all my life and never had a life threatening situation and yes I walk across A1A at least 5-6 times a week.

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scientia potentia est

As an experienced traffic-crosser/jaywalker, I mostly agree with you. Those new 'Stop for Pedestrian' signs are going to end up being a false sense of security for some poor, unfortunate soul who assumes cars are going to stop for them. They aren't.

 

I can't tell if you are serious or not, just in case try Googling this: "nancy chancey indialantic death". This death here was an innocent adult surfer on the SIDE of the road waiting to cross, not fast enough to get out of the way when she came barreling through.

I will throw in my neighbors son as a second instance. He was 12ish at the time, at the same intersection. He was lucky, it was many years ago when the police monitored traffic on A1A, so the car was probably doing the posted speed limit. He was just sideswiped and broke an arm.

We must live on different ends of A1A in indialantic.

 

 

 

^^^^ add another death in this area as well, women who lived around the corner from me; reality hits when you go to cross and see the accident/death spraycan markings from the investigation...1-Point of Impact 2-Body ended up here,...more orange markers.  The markers eventually washed away many years ago but was a reminder how dangerous not only crossing but waiting to cross, I actually try to remember to stand behind power poles as sometype of protection...Enforce strict 45 MPH like MeL BCH used to do from Longdoggers to Paradise light could help.

ever since the video game "frogger" fell off the map, crossing A1A is the only way to get my fix.

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I troll 2L.com to be a better person in real life

They simply ruined the left turn at Lowes.
(pinetree/A1A)

the old one only held about 3 cars but at least the "curb" was easy to roll over to get in there during red light backup.

now it holds like 2 cars and theres no way you are getting in there when the light turns red- so you are screwed.

Lowes parking lot is now the left hand turn lane.

Way to go FDOT

They need to jack hammer that entire thing out and build it so it can hold at least SIX cars.. PLUS make it low and easy to roll over.

whats next, installing those "dont back up severe tire damage" spikes just to really F with people?

how about some lanes that go straight into a brick wall? haha

its like these guys have no idea how a road should be

Keep in mind that FDOT, SCTPO doesn’t build roads or design the roads. They are administering the process. The roads are designed by Transportation Engineering and Design Companies that are contracted. Then built by by road construction contractors. Sometimes, the silo effect has a bad outcome. 

Take photographs and send them to STEVE OLSON @FDOT with an explanation of each of the problems. CC Joan Carter and Georgianna Gillette.

All are increadibly thoughtful and responsive.

 

CONTACTS:

Steve Olson

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER - Public Relations

FDOT - ?(386) 943-5479? Office

steve.olson@dot.state.fl.us

 

Joan Carter M. Carter

Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator

Florida Dept. of Transportation District 5

?(386) 943-5335?

Joan.Carter@dot.state.fl.us

 

Georganna Gillette

Transportation Program Specialist

Space Coast TPO

Georganna.Gillette@brevardcounty.us

Transportation Improvement Program, Project Priorities, and bicycle/pedestrian and sidewalk programs.  FDOT construction projects/status.

 

https://www.facebook.com/SCTPO/

 

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Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

Edited: 03/20/2018 at 09:25 AM by dab

dab - thanks for the contact info.  I will be sure and pass on some points that should be addressed as everyone has pointed out, even though I think we all know we're stuck with this.

I'd also like to point out - ultimatley, the FDOT is responsible.  I would bet all kinds of things that the "Engineer of Record" has not even been out to observe these things on their own on the job site.  I say this based on some email interaction I had thru their public relations lady Laurie listed on the job website. 

It's pretty well known in the engineering community, particulalry civil, that the vast majority of CE that work for the FDOT are incompotent paper pushers that just want a 9-5er and couldnt cut it in the private sector.  Big surprise.