A few months ago the Turnpike Authority released a new study showing how it could create a new interchange at Oakland Park Blvd., allowing for SunPass usage only. Though it is a significant improvement from their previous studies, providing several new options to overcome traffic problems, there remains several significant issues. These issues include a proposal for a traffic light on the top of the Oakland Park Blvd. bridge, which is still unacceptable.
To help facilitate this process, and at the urging of Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes residents and businesses, the Mayors of the two cities, with their City Managers and members of Florida Medical Center, met to discuss how to proceed in solving this situation. At that meeting in late December, it was felt that if the cities could conduct their own study, from the city's perspective, we may find a way to approve an interchange that the Turnpike Authority could accept. To date, the Turnpike studies reflect the Authority's point of view, and we believe it does not satisfactorily address the cities' concerns. The estimated cost of this study was estimated to be $40,000 to $50,000.
To pay for the study, each city would pay half, and that Mayor Kaplan, as Chair of the MPO would seek other transportation planning funds to reduce the cost to the cities. Subsequently, the MPO has agreed to pay $25,000 of the cost. Though other funding is being sought, nothing additional has been secured yet.
To help facilitate this process, and at the urging of Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes residents and businesses, the Mayors of the two cities, with their City Managers and members of Florida Medical Center, met to discuss how to proceed in solving this situation. At that meeting in late December, it was felt that if the cities could conduct their own study, from the city's perspective, we may find a way to approve an interchange that the Turnpike Authority could accept. To date, the Turnpike studies reflect the Authority's point of view, and we believe it does not satisfactorily address the cities' concerns. The estimated cost of this study was estimated to be $40,000 to $50,000.
To pay for the study, each city would pay half, and that Mayor Kaplan, as Chair of the MPO would seek other transportation planning funds to reduce the cost to the cities. Subsequently, the MPO has agreed to pay $25,000 of the cost. Though other funding is being sought, nothing additional has been secured yet.
The idea would require the City Managers to coordinate all activity, with their city's objectives and objections in mind. When the report is complete, they are to take those elements that each city can agree with and submit them to the Turnpike Authority. It is felt that if both cities can agree with a plan, then the Authority would be more willing to accept this and move forward with a final agreed solution.
With the cities each looking at a cost of $12,500 or less, each City Manager (though it is in their authority to approve without Commission approval) decided to bring this to their Commission for comment and support. Lauderhill Commission on Jan. 8 immediately supported moving forward. The Lauderdale Lakes Commission has now discussed this matter at least 3 times, and as of yet no movement towards consensus, vote, nor decision has been made by them. A time line was requested, and it was expressed that it would not be in our best interest to go much beyond March for fear of losing the MPO $25,000 study grant.
Lauderdale Lakes is expected to bring this matter up again at their Commission meeting February 27, however, it is unclear as to how they wish to proceed in this matter. The decision to move forward with the study affecting the entire corridor rests with Lauderdale Lakes. The City of Lauderhill has conveyed that it requires both cities to be an equal contributing partner for this to proceed, and additional delays will jeopardize the ability to move forward.
If both cities can agree to proceed, and a solution acceptable to both cities is also accepted by the Turnpike Authority, construction plans then could start. The expected time for construction is unknown, but will take several years to implement.
2 comments:
The cost of the study is one issue.
The cost of the off/on ramp is a second issue.
What’s estimated the cost of the project?
Who pay the bill for the project?
Also i dont believe a Sunpass only off/on ramp is acceptable since either way the project will require city and or state funds to complete.
The estimated cost of the project cannot be determined until the project itself if figured out. Irrespective, the Turnpike Authority will pay for the entire cost if an agreement can be reached on what they will build. The Turnpike Authority does not use city funds, they are their own Enterprise Fund and generate their revenue through tolls. I believe all of their revenue comes from tolls, so this is not an issue.
The Sunpass only is the only way this ramp becomes feasible. If it is unacceptable, then the project is back to where it was in 1990, and will end. If you go with toll booths, there is not enough room unless you take out part of Hawaiian Gardens and the Hospital. Additionally, you have more backup on Oakland Park.
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