Hollywood Boulevard Widening Project & Intersection Improvement Projects
Micco Road Sidewalk and Intersection Improvements
Micco Road to undergo $3.5 million face-lift in 2 months
By LAMAUR STANCIL
lamaur.stancil@scripps.com
March 28, 2007
MICCO — Residents have been complaining about the condition of Micco Road for at least 10 years.
"I try not to use it, due to the bad condition and congestion," Micco resident Frankie Schott said. "I think it would need to be widened."
But in a year, Schott and other Micco residents may find the road easier to traverse. Brevard County Commissioner Helen Voltz said work crews will begin $3.5 million in improvements on the eastern half of the road in 2 months. Turn lanes will be placed at key intersections of the road between the railroad tracks and Dottie Lane and almost two miles of sidewalk will be added on the south side of the road starting at U.S. 1.
The problem with the two-lane road, residents said, is it's worn down and too narrow for the traffic it has to accommodate. Almost 10,000 people live in Barefoot Bay, which is cut in two by Micco Road. And looming on the horizon is more traffic from Palm Bay, which has annexed land east of Dottie and plans to put a subdivision on the road west of Barefoot Bay.
The road is treacherous for southside Barefoot Bay residents to cross — whether on foot or in a vehicle — and vice versa. Some parents on the south side of the road, for example, won't allow their children to cross to the north side to see friends or visit the Barefoot Bay pools.
"It's dangerous out there," Barefoot Bay mother Robin Phillips said.
Phillips and other residents recall a February 2004 morning when two teenagers were struck by a vehicle while waiting for a school bus on the corner of Micco and Brown roads. Brevard County school buses pick up students for Bayside High School and Southwest Middle School at bus stops along Micco Road.
A lack of money has been the reason the county hasn't been able to pay for the improvements before now.
In 2003, Brevard voters turned down a 1-cent sales tax referendum that would have provided $29 million for the same improvements to be done this year, plus work to smooth out the S-curves west of Barefoot Bay. That's because voters were against the full $450 million package in the referendum, which included projects for law enforcement, environmental protection and various county facilities.
Last year, Voltz said bids for the Micco Road work came in $1 million more than budgeted. But county officials were satisfied by this year's bids.
The work pending still leaves the troublesome S-curves a few miles west of U.S. 1. The speed limit on Micco Road is 45 mph approaching the first S-curve, then traffic signs advise of the curve and recommend motorists reduce their speed. But some motorists don't heed the warning and have caused accidents. The county doesn't have plans to improve that portion of the road, but Tequesta developer Dan Logan, who is planning to build a subdivision on Micco Road, has said he'll pay for the improvements when he builds the homes.
"It wouldn't be a selling point to have a bad road out there in front of the development," Voltz said.
MICCO ROAD
• Runs 5 1/2 miles from U.S. 1 in Micco to Babcock Street and crosses over Interstate 95, though there's no interchange
• Two lanes with a
railroad crossing
THE ROAD WORK
• Brevard County plans to spend $3.5 million on improvements for the Micco Road.
• A sidewalk will be added to the south side of Micco Road from U.S. 1 to Dottie Lane.
• Turn lanes will be placed at certain intersections.
URL: http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/local_news/article/0,2545,TCP_16736_5446724,00.html
January 10,
2007
Road project moving forward
Cities, county to split
funding
BY JAMES DEAN
and LINDA JUMP
Hoping to save lives and money on Palm Bay Road, Brevard County and three cities have formed an unusual partnership to save a widening project from a five-year delay.
"It is a creative way for funding of our roads," said Commissioner Helen Voltz. "If we didn't do this project, we would have had to pay to repave this road anyway."
The county, Palm Bay, Melbourne and West Melbourne have tentatively agreed to borrow about $15 million needed to cover cost increases the state said it couldn't afford.
The state's disclosure last month that it would delay funding for the road's widening -- now projected to cost about $51 million -- shocked local leaders who expected the work to begin this year.
It also followed a deadly two-week stretch that saw five fatalities on the congested county-owned road, raising public concern.
Residents who drive the road regularly were happy the widening project might be back on schedule.
"There's too much traffic," said Sharon Montano of Palm Bay. "People are being killed, and there are too many accidents."
Charles Meyer of Palm Bay, a technician, said both the Palm Bay Road widening and the proposed St. Johns Heritage Parkway are needed.
"That would relieve a lot of traffic from Palm Bay Road," he said.
Officials hope to finalize their financing by Jan. 18, a day after a public meeting is held in Palm Bay focused on the road's safety.
The tentative agreement works as follows:
"The city has stepped up to the plate on this," said City Manager
Lee Feldman. "Delays will affect our residents."
The county would cover half that expense, Palm Bay would pay 25 percent and Melbourne and West Melbourne would split the difference.
Transportation impact fees from new developments that could have been held up without the road widening will help pay for the loan, officials said.
"Palm Bay Road is over capacity and there are projects that have been approved that depend on the widening before building permits can be issued," said Howard Ralls, deputy city manager in Melbourne.
One example is a House of Power motorcycle dealership proposed on Palm Bay Road at Stack Boulevard.
The five-year delay was projected to push the project's cost up to $67 million, almost double the original amount budgeted.
County officials said they would have had to resurface the road during the interim, wasting about $2 million.
County commissioners praised the team effort with the cities and credited Voltz's lead aide, Tres Holton, with leading negotiations.
"If this is any indication of the cooperation (to come) between the cities and the county, this is a huge, huge milestone, because we have been at odds in how we're handling things," Commissioner Jackie Colon said.
If approved by the county and city councils, the agreement means bids on the widening project could proceed in June and work could begin in the fall.
Contact Dean at 242-3617 or jdean@flatoday.net.
*******************************************
FDOT, cities have Palm Bay Road deal
Posted: 2007 Jan 26 - 00:30
By Jennifer Stahl
Staff writer
The air was infused with an angry mood when county and municipal leaders
gathered to garner resident input on the Palm Bay Road widening project.
Officials balked as news circulated prior to the meeting Jan. 17 that the
Florida Department of Transportation would foist construction project cost
overruns on local governments - without future reimbursement.
Palm Bay City Council members were furious as they pointed out they were being
punished for doing the right thing.
"We are the red-headed stepchild of the state, and I'm sick and tired of it,"
said Palm Bay deputy mayor Ed Geier. "When we step up to the plate to fix the
problem, they try to stick it to us. Am I mad? Am I upset? You bet I am."
Mr. Geier was referring to Palm Bay's offer to take out a $15.6 million loan
from the Florida League of Cities commercial paper loan pool, which the city
will then loan the FDOT in order to cover construction cost increases the
department of transportation projected necessary to begin the project later this
year, as originally planned.
The FDOT had set aside $36 million for the project, which would widen four-lane
Palm Bay Road to six lanes from Minton Road to Conlan Boulevard. However, when
costs increased to $51.6 million, the department intended to delay the project
until 2011, when more funding was available.
But that plan was unacceptable to local leaders who wanted the project made a
priority in light of the recent rash of traffic fatalities. Five people were
killed in accidents on Palm Bay Road between Nov. 30-Dec. 10, 2006.
Brevard County and local municipal officials met Jan. 8 to discuss options to
hasten the project. Officials ultimately decided they would make up the deficit
with a loan, which would be secured by Palm Bay. The FDOT promised to reimburse
the city for the loan in 10 quarterly payments beginning in July 2010, or the
beginning of the department's 2011 fiscal year.
However, at issue was the matter of the interest on the $15.6 million loan. At
an estimated interest rate between 3.5 and 4 percent, if Palm Bay were to take
out a loan, the city would be responsible for paying as much as $3 million to $4
million in interest.
Tres Holton, special assistant to County Commissioner Helen Voltz, District 3,
stepped in with an idea. Brevard County was planning to pay more than $2 million
to repave the surface of Palm Bay Road until the FDOT could launch its
road-widening project. Why not use those funds to take on 50 percent of the
interest burden, rather than paving the road.
When that offer was on the table, Palm Bay agreed to take on 25 percent of the
interest burden, and city officials of Melbourne and West Melbourne agreed to
pay 12.5 percent each. Problem solved - almost.
Brevard County, Melbourne and West Melbourne councils have agreed to sign an
interlocal agreement with Palm Bay regarding payment of the interest burden. The
governments must come to a final agreement by Jan. 31, and the city must turn
funds over to FDOT by March 12.
When news circulated the FDOT would not agree to pay potential construction cost
overruns, tempers flared.
Frank Hickson, intermodal systems development manager for FDOT, saved the day
when he made an announcement.
"I just spoke with the Secretary (of District 5, Noranne Downs), and FDOT will
pick up construction overruns," Mr. Hickson said.
The room erupted in thunderous applause.
Only one hurdle stands in the way of construction in 2007 - a new bidding model
instituted by FDOT. Any FDOT project with a price tag more than $25 million must
be let under the maximum bid concept, in which the department will reveal the
amount set aside for the current project - or $51.6 million. If bids from
private contractors come in over that amount, they will not be accepted. This
allows for the potential that no bidders will come forward, and the project
would be back at square one.
Also, FDOT has not had a project completed under the maximum bid module yet, so
there is no precedent for historical figures on potential cost overruns.
However, Mr. Hickson did say he has not seen any projects let under the maximum
bid concept come back with no bids.
If all goes well, contractor bidding could take place as early as July. FDOT
usually awards bids within 30 days of letting, and construction usually begins
three months later. FDOT officials anticipate that construction will take
approximately 2 and a half years.
Commissioner Voltz praised government officials for working together toward a
solution.
"With our cooperative partnerships, Palm Bay Road is going to get done within
the timeframe originally scheduled, and that's a miracle in itself, because
we've not always worked well together on projects in the past," she said. "(Palm
Bay) has done a tremendous job, and they deserve kudos for that."
http://www.myhometownnews.net/index.php?id=20442
Supplemental information about Palm Bay Rd Widening Project:
***D3 Palm Bay Rd Widening Memo.pdf
***City of Palm Bay Interoffice Memorandum.pdf
***Summary of Jan 8 2007 Meeting.pdf
***City of Melbourne Memo 01-09-2007.pdf
***City of Melbourne Summary Council Minutes 01-09-2007.pdf
***AGENDA BOCC January 26, 2007
***Palm Bay Rd Final Agreement.pdf
***Palm Bay Councilman Andy Anderson originally requested that multi-jurisdictions get together and resolve the Palm Bay Rd Widening Project crisis. His request for action is here: Andy Anderson Request.pdf
Interoffice Memo from Tres' Holton to Commissioner Voltz about transportation funding (click here) 03-20-2006
Construction
in District 3
Valkaria Road Phase - Leghorn to Weber Sidewalk
&
Palm Bay Road - Minton Rd. to RJ Conlan Blvd.
The design for the 6-laning of Palm Bay Road from
Minton Road to RJ Conlan Blvd. began in early 2002. Inwood Consulting Engineers
is the design consultant for the
Right of way acquisition is also in progress, with construction programmed to begin on the section from Minton Rd. to Knecht Road in 2006-07. Construction will continue in 2007-08 from Knecht Road to RJ Conlan Blvd. During the first phase of construction, improvements will also be made on Babcock Street at the Palm Bay Road interchange. These improvements will be constructed to align with the proposed future widening of Babcock Street to 6 lanes.
For more details, contact the project team:
Andy DeWitt, Project Manager
Inwood
Consulting Engineers
3504 Lake Lynda Drive, Suite 410
Orlando, Florida 32817
Phone: (407) 273-3661
Fax: (407) 273-3662
E-mail: inwood@inwoodinc.com
US 1 - Resurface 3.7 miles from Malabar Road (SR 514) to just south of Robert Conlan Blvd. (FM No. 413589). Bids are to be received in May. The estimated cost is $1.9 million. A $150,000 grant to the City of Palm Bay in FY 06/07 is to pay for landscaping along this section.
US 1 - Resurface 5.6 miles southbound from the Indian River County line to 1st Street (FM No. 417166). Bids are to be received in FY 06/07. The estimated cost is $3 million.
Valkaria Road Phase - Leghorn to Weber Sidewalk Impact Fees/Gas Tax Pending Funding
Micco Road - RR tracks to Dottie Lane Sidewalk & Inter. Impr Bidding 06-29-06 08-29-06 Impact Fees/Gas Tax Advertised for Bidding
Hollywood Boulevard - US 192 to Palm Bay Rd. Four Lane Roadway Consultant Selection 05-11-06 09-30-06 Gas Tax Reviewing Proposals
Babcock Street - Malabar Rd. to County Line Four Lane Roadway Consultant Selection 05-11-06 09-30-06 Gas Tax Reviewing Proposals
Hollywood Blvd. & Eber Road Intersection Improvement Construction 12-01-04 07-30-05 Impact Fees Construction Underway
Valkaria Road Phase - Leghorn to Weber Sidewalk Impact Fees/Gas Tax Pending Funding
Micco Road - RR tracks to Dottie Lane Sidewalk & Inter. Impr Bidding 07-15-05 09-15-05 Impact Fees/Gas Tax Sent to FDOT for LAP approval to bid
I-95 Widening
will commence in 2007
(If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please click Adobe logo for the
download link.)
Traffic
updates from Florida Highway Patrol and Florida 511:
http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/traffic/index.html
(Select "Brevard" in drop-down menu at the link provided above to get update traffic updates from FHP)
County-Wide
Design and Construction Projects
Brevard Metropolitan Planning Organization
(Information below was taken directly from the Brevard MPO website)
Palm Bay Parkway PD&E Study (now named the St. John's Heritage Parkway)
The Florida Department of Transportation contracted with Parsons Transportation Group to perform a Project Development & Environmental (PD&E) study for the Palm Bay Parkway. The study began in the Spring of 2001 and was completed in November 2004. The focus of the study was to determine the most feasible alignment and design characteristics of the proposed Parkway from Malabar Rd. to US 192 and beyond that to a possible connection with I-95 near Ellis Road. The MPO endorsed the findings of the study and the recommended alignmet, which begins at Malabar Road, west of the Regional Park continuing north and then turning east at the NW corner of the limits of the City of Palm Bay, and continuing north, crossing US 192 between I-95 and Simon Road, and turning east to cross I-95 and connect to the west end of Ellis Road and John Rodes Boulevard. Access to the Parkway will be determined by the Brevard County Borad of County Commissioners, who will be the maintaining agency of the completed roadway. The Board has directed County staff to work with staff from the Cities of Palm Bay, West Melbourne and Melbourne to develop an interlocal agreement that will specify the access conditions and land uses surrounding the Parkway.
The Final PD&E Report documents are available on a CD-ROM in Adobe pdf format by calling the MPO staff office.
