Sidewalk Feasibility Study: Enhancing Pedestrian Safety on US Highway 17

1. US Highway 17 (Center Street) Sidewalk Feasibility Study Town of Pierson, Florida

2. Hagstrom Road to Fourth Avenue • Rural section of road • ROW approximately 180’ and can accommodate sidewalks • Pedestrian crossing at Hagstrom not recommended due to limited visibility at curve in road, uncontrolled intersection and speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour (MPH) • Wide width commercial dirt driveway openings exist along corridor • No obstructions observed within proposed path of the sidewalk, however, potential conflicts may arise that can be resolved by field relocation of obstacle or the pathway. • No curb and gutter on west side of road, 7-1/2 foot paved shoulder • Curb and gutter south of Fourth Avenue on the east side of road ends at private drive (photos 4 & 6) • Steep slopes to adjacent open drainage ditches exist in some areas

3. Fourth Avenue to Second Avenue • ROW narrows to approximately 60 feet north of Fourth Avenue • Pedestrian crossings not recommended due to speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour (MPH) and uncontrolled intersections • Unmarked 5.5 foot bike lanes exist • No obstructions observed within proposed path of the sidewalk however, potential conflicts may arise that can be resolved by field relocation of obstacle or the pathway • Wide width concrete and dirt driveway openings exist along corridor • No curb and gutter on west side of ROW to just south of Third Avenue • One open drain crossing without railing, both sides of ROW between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue • Sidewalk ramps and detectable warning surface exists at all four corners of Second Avenue • Yellow flashing light at intersection of Second Avenue • Existing sidewalk begins north of Second Avenue on both sides of the ROW

4. Washington Avenue to First Avenue • Existing detectable warning surface at end of sidewalk curb ramps at all intersections • No curb and gutter along this segment of the corridor • Approximately 10 feet of ROW on the east side from edge of pavement • Large and numerous driveway openings on east side; • approximately 52 foot first opening, • approximately 61 foot second opening, • and approximately 153 foot opening closest to First Avenue • A lighted pedestrian crossing and crosswalks exist at corner of Washington and US HWY 17

5. CONCEPTUAL DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS • Construct sidewalk at grade such that it is ADA compliant. • Provide high-visibility crosswalk markings at all side street roadway crossings. All crosswalks should be six-feet wide at a minimum. • Avoid mid-block crosswalks at uncontrolled intersections. • Install pedestrian signage to existing flashingtraffic signal over the crosswalk proposed to cross US HWY 17 at Second Avenue. • Provide ADA compliant sidewalk ramps at all new crosswalk locations. • Include detectable warning surface on curb cuts at all crosswalk locations. • Install longitudinal barriers for the one open drain crossing located on both sides of ROW between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue • Relocate existing utilities within the proposed path of the sidewalk to a location within the existing right of way. • Avoid trees within the proposed path of the sidewalk. • Provide concrete driveway aprons between US HWY 17 and the back of the proposed sidewalk at all asphalt and gravel driveways. • Increase concrete thickness of the sidewalk to six inches at driveway crossings and areas subject to vehicular crossing to discourage breakage caused by the excessive weight of vehicles. • Construct curb and gutter along the west side of US HWY 17 south of Third Avenue to extent of existing curb on east side of ROW in order to be consistent with existing construction. • Construct curb and gutter along the east side of US HWY 17 between First Avenue and Washington Avenue in order to be consistent with existing construction. • Add marking and signage as part of the existing bike lanes from Fourth Avenue to Washington Avenue. • Improve pedestrian safety by closing driveway openings and increasing access management. Alternatively, provide high-visibility sidewalk markings at all driveway openings. • Add signage to increase awareness of the slow speeds required along this corridor. • Install stop bars and pedestrian crosswalks at all roadway crossings. • Design Changes May Occur!!

10. FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY • Table 1provides anEngineer’s Opinion of Probable Costto construct the proposed corridor based on FDOT 2011 Basis of Estimates Handbook. • This estimate is based primarily upon the FDOT 12 Month Moving Average Item Unit Cost Report for Area 6, with costs through 11/30/2012. • Cost projections have been shown for sequential years up to 2015 based on a unit cost annual increase based on an inflation factor of five percent. • The total estimated cost for design and construction of the sidewalks along US HWY 17 corridor as discussed in this report for the year 2012 is $789,520.00 ranging up to $913,968.00 in 2015.

11. US Highway 17 (Center Street)Sidewalk Feasibility StudyTown of Pierson, Florida SUMMARY • Safety is of paramount concern for the consideration of this project. • Properly planned and constructed sidewalks can address pedestrian safety by separating pedestrians from vehicle traffic, providing a safe and functional space for all users of the corridor. • Adequate ROW exists along the corridor on both sides of the pavement to construct the desired facilities without the need for encroachment out side the right-of-way boundaries. • The concept plan and typical cross sections included within this report were formulated based on the results of compiling data regarding existing conditions and applicable FDOT design guidelines. • Based on the data gathered, a 5 foot concrete sidewalk is proposed to be located 5 feet from the back of curb and 6 feet from edge of pavement. • Potential conflicts may arise along this proposed path that can be resolved by field relocation of obstacle or the pathway. • A public involvement program will be provided by the Town of Pierson as part of the design schedule for the project. • The total estimated cost for design and construction of the sidewalks along US HWY 17 corridor as discussed in this report for the year 2012 is $789,520.00 ranging up to $913,968.00 in 2015. • The results of the study identified the recommended width of the sidewalk and its location was feasible in order to design a cost-effective path that fits within the existing right-of-way.