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Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting FM No. 415474-4-22-01 September 20, 2016, 5:30 - 6:30 PM CDT About the Project The Santa Rosa Sound Alternate Crossing Study is a high-level planning study that focuses on the feasibility for an alternate road and bridge corridor between Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island. The primary purpose of an alternate corridor is to help reduce congestion along S.R. 30/U.S. 98 through downtown Fort Walton Beach (within the vicinity of S.R. 85 to Perry Avenue) by diverting traffic around this congested segment. Currently, traffic volumes in this area range from 35,500 to 50,500 vehicles per day, indicating that this segment of U.S. 98 is at capacity. Improvements are also needed in order to improve connectivity in the greater Fort Walton Beach region and to enhance emergency evacuation times. By the end of this study, we want to have gathered enough information to help determine whether or not this project should proceed to a more detailed phase of analysis called a Project Development and Environment Study or PD&E. Please note this study is a separate study than the on-going Brooks Bridge Replacement PD&E Study. The purpose of the Brooks Bridge Replacement PD&E Study is to identify bridge replacement alternatives and to also assess potential improvements at the U.S. 98/Santa Rosa Boulevard intersection on Okaloosa Island and the U.S. 98/Perry Avenue intersection in Fort Walton Beach. Alternatives were presented at a public meeting held on May 17, 2016, and the study is expected to be completed by end of 2017. Currently, the bridge replacement is funded for construction in 2022. Study Process The study is currently in the planning phase and is following a process developed by FDOT known as an Alternative Corridor Evaluation, or ACE. The ACE process helps identify reasonable corridor alternatives and is used to evaluate and document potential alternatives that can be carried forward into future phases. Using the ACE process as a guide, ten (10) corridor alternatives were identified for evaluation. For comparison purposes, all corridors begin at the S.R. 30/U.S. 98 and S.R. 393 (Mary Esther Boulevard) intersection. For corridor segments on a new alignment or that involve a new bridge, a 500-foot corridor width is used. For corridor segments following existing roadways and bridges, a 200-foot corridor width is used. The corridor widths used allow for flexibility in the future to shift or move any proposed improvements. The corridor alternatives are shown in the Corridor Alternatives Map and are briefly described on the following page. Welcome The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) would like to welcome you to the Corridor Alternatives public meeting for the Santa Rosa Sound Alternate Crossing Study. The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the ten (10) corridor alternatives currently under consideration, ask questions, and express your comments and concerns. Information about the corridor alternatives, findings from the on-going evaluation, and preliminary study recommendations are on display. Project Team representatives are also available to answer questions and listen to your ideas. We look forward to your input. 1 4 Your Input is Needed We encourage you to give us your opinions and comments on this study. At this stage of the project, we are especially interested in hearing from residents, business owners and motorists regarding the need for an alternate road and bridge corridor across Santa Rosa Sound. Your input helps guide our planners and engineers to develop solutions that work with the community’s goals and visions. Our goal is to make sure that everyone has a chance to ask questions and provide input on this very important study. Please feel free to direct your comments to any of the contacts provided below. Contact Information: Project Manager April Williams, P.E. FDOT District 3 1074 Highway 90 Chipley, FL 32428 (888) 638-0250, ext. 1625 [email protected].fl.us Public Information Director Ian Satter FDOT District 3 1074 Highway 90 Chipley, FL 32428 (888) 638-0250, ext. 1205 [email protected].fl.us Consultant Project Manager Steve Schnell, AICP HDR 200 W Forsyth St. Suite 800 Jacksonville, FL 32202-4321 (904) 598-8964 [email protected] The Florida Department of Transportation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status. For questions or concerns, contact John Smith, District Three Title VI Coordinator, 1074 Highway 90 Chipley, FL 32428, toll-free at 1-888- 638-0250, extension 1520 or via email john. [email protected].fl.us. Email Us: [email protected] Stay Involved: [email protected] Santa Rosa Sound Alternate Crossing Study www.nwflroads.com Define Study Area Screen Study Area Identify Potential Corridors Define Corridor Widths Evaluate Potential Corridors Obtain Public Input 6 Submit Corridor Report 7 3 4 5 Decision Announced 1 2 OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) The ACE process helps identify and evaluate potential corridor alternatives.

Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting...Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting September 20, 2016, 5:30 - 6:30 PM CDT FM No 15474-4-22-01 About the Project The Santa Rosa Sound Alternate

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Page 1: Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting...Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting September 20, 2016, 5:30 - 6:30 PM CDT FM No 15474-4-22-01 About the Project The Santa Rosa Sound Alternate

Corridor Alternatives Public MeetingFM No. 415474-4-22-01September 20, 2016, 5:30 - 6:30 PM CDT

About the ProjectThe Santa Rosa Sound Alternate Crossing Study is a high-level planning study that focuses on the feasibility for an alternate road and bridge corridor between Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island. The primary purpose of an alternate corridor is to help reduce congestion along S.R. 30/U.S. 98 through downtown Fort Walton Beach (within the vicinity of S.R. 85 to Perry Avenue) by diverting traffic around this congested segment. Currently, traffic volumes in this area range from 35,500 to 50,500 vehicles per day, indicating that this segment of U.S. 98 is at capacity. Improvements are also needed in order to improve connectivity in the greater Fort Walton Beach region and to enhance emergency evacuation times.

By the end of this study, we want to have gathered enough information to help determine whether or not this project should proceed to a more detailed phase of analysis called a Project Development and Environment Study or PD&E. Please note this study is a separate study than the on-going Brooks Bridge Replacement PD&E Study. The purpose of the Brooks Bridge Replacement PD&E Study is to identify bridge replacement alternatives and to also assess potential improvements at the U.S. 98/Santa Rosa Boulevard intersection on Okaloosa Island and the U.S. 98/Perry Avenue intersection in Fort Walton Beach. Alternatives were presented at a public meeting held on May 17, 2016, and the study is expected to be completed by end of 2017. Currently, the bridge replacement is funded for construction in 2022.

Study ProcessThe study is currently in the planning phase and is following a process developed by FDOT known as an Alternative Corridor Evaluation, or ACE.

The ACE process helps identify reasonable corridor alternatives and is used to evaluate and document potential alternatives that can be carried forward into future phases. Using the ACE process as a guide, ten (10) corridor alternatives were identified for evaluation. For comparison purposes, all corridors begin at the S.R. 30/U.S. 98 and S.R. 393 (Mary Esther Boulevard) intersection. For corridor segments on a new alignment or that involve a new bridge, a 500-foot corridor width is used. For corridor segments following existing roadways and bridges, a 200-foot corridor width is used. The corridor widths used allow for flexibility in the future to shift or move any proposed improvements. The corridor alternatives are shown in the Corridor Alternatives Map and are briefly described on the following page.

WelcomeThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) would like to welcome you to the Corridor Alternatives public meeting for the Santa Rosa Sound Alternate Crossing Study. The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the ten (10) corridor alternatives currently under consideration, ask questions, and express your comments and concerns. Information about the corridor alternatives, findings from the on-going evaluation, and preliminary study recommendations are on display. Project Team representatives are also available to answer questions and listen to your ideas. We look forward to your input.

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Your Input is NeededWe encourage you to give us your opinions and comments on this study. At this stage of the project, we are especially interested in hearing from residents, business owners and motorists regarding the need for an alternate road and bridge corridor across Santa Rosa Sound. Your input helps guide our planners and engineers to develop solutions that work with the community’s goals and visions. Our goal is to make sure that everyone has a chance to ask questions and provide input on this very important study. Please feel free to direct your comments to any of the contacts provided below.

Contact Information:

Project ManagerApril Williams, P.E.FDOT District 31074 Highway 90Chipley, FL 32428(888) 638-0250, ext. [email protected]

Public Information DirectorIan SatterFDOT District 31074 Highway 90Chipley, FL 32428(888) 638-0250, ext. [email protected]

Consultant Project ManagerSteve Schnell, AICPHDR 200 W Forsyth St. Suite 800Jacksonville, FL 32202-4321(904) [email protected]

The Florida Department of Transportation does not

discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,

age, sex, religion, disability or family status. For questions or concerns, contact John Smith,

District Three Title VI Coordinator, 1074 Highway 90 Chipley, FL 32428, toll-free at 1-888- 638-0250, extension

1520 or via email [email protected]. Email Us: [email protected]

Stay Involved: [email protected]

Santa Rosa Sound Alternate Crossing Study

www.nwflroads.com

Define Study Area

Screen Study Area

Identify Potential Corridors

Define Corridor Widths

Evaluate Potential Corridors

Obtain Public Input

6Submit Corridor Report

73 4 5

Decision Announced

1 2

O P P O R T U N I T Y F O R P U B L I C C O M M E N T

Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE)The ACE process helps identify and evaluate potential corridor alternatives.

Page 2: Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting...Corridor Alternatives Public Meeting September 20, 2016, 5:30 - 6:30 PM CDT FM No 15474-4-22-01 About the Project The Santa Rosa Sound Alternate

2

Corridor EvaluationThe ten (10) corridor alternatives were evaluated for consistency with purpose and need; social, cultural, and natural environmental impacts; and engineering considerations and costs.

The purpose and need evaluation included measuring the ability of each corridor alternative to: relieve congestion in downtown Fort Walton Beach; improve emergency evacuation times; enhance regional connectivity; and support local and regional plans.

For the environmental evaluation, the social impacts evaluated include potential relocations, effects on community facilities such as schools and churches, and other factors including impacts to existing neighborhoods and low income and minority communities. The cultural impacts evaluated include historic and archaeological sites, parks and recreation lands, conservation lands, and beach access. The natural impacts

evaluated include water quality, wetlands, and potential impacts to wildlife and their habitat.

The engineering evaluation considered factors such as access management, traffic operations, and estimated project costs were also evaluated.

Based on the results of the evaluation, corridor alternatives 7 and 10 are recommended for further evaluation. The preliminary findings of the corridor evaluation are summarized in the table provided below. The results of this analysis, along with a summary of the public input received at tonight’s meeting, will be documented in a corridor report. The final decision on recommendations will consider and incorporate all public and agency feedback. The corridor report will be reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration and the environmental agencies prior to FDOT making a decision on whether to proceed to the next phase.

CORRIDOR ALTERNATIVESAlternative 1 - Follows along US 98 between SR 393 and Wright Parkway. Then turns south with a proposed extension of Wright Parkway and new bridge over Santa Rosa Sound before tying into existing Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island. Alternative 1 follows Santa Rosa Boulevard and terminates in the vicinity of the existing US 98 / Santa Rosa Boulevard intersection.

Alternative 2 – Follows along US 98 between SR 393 and SR 85. Then travels northeast along SR 85 to an elevated roadway that continues east above First Street. Alternative 2 then ties back into US 98 and would use the proposed Brooks Bridge replacement bridge to cross Santa Rosa Sound.

Alternative 3 – Follows along US 98 between SR 393 and SR 85. Then travels northeast along SR 85 to an elevated roadway that continues east above First Street and south along Alconese Avenue. Alternative 3 then ties back into US 98 and would use the proposed Brooks Bridge replacement bridge to cross Santa Rosa Sound.

Alternative 4 – Follows along US 98 between SR 393 and SR 85. Then travels northeast along SR 85 to an elevated roadway that continues east above First Street to Brooks Street. Alternative 4 then travels southeast crossing Santa Rosa Sound with a new bridge before tying back into US 98 on Okaloosa Island with a new interchange.

Alternative 5 – Follows along SR 393 between US 98 and Hollywood Boulevard. Then travels east along Hollywood Boulevard to Brooks Street where it turns and travels south across the Santa Rosa Sound utilizing a new bridge. Alternative 5 then ties back into US 98 on Okaloosa Island with a new interchange.

Alternative 6 – Follows along SR 393 between US 98 and Hollywood Boulevard. Then travels east along Hollywood Boulevard towards Choctawhatchee Bay where it turns and travels south across the Santa Rosa Sound utilizing a new bridge. Alternative 6 then ties back into US 98 on Okaloosa Island with a new interchange.

Alternative 7 – Follows along SR 393 between US 98 and Hollywood Boulevard. Then travels east along Hollywood Boulevard and extends into Choctawhatchee Bay where it turns and travels south utilizing a new bridge. Alternative 7 then ties back into US 98 on Okaloosa Island with a new interchange.

Alternative 8 – Follows along SR 393 between US 98 and Hollywood Boulevard. Then travels east along Hollywood Boulevard and extends into Choctawhatchee Bay (similar to Alternatives 6 and 7) where it turns and travels south utilizing a new bridge. Alternative 8 then ties back into US 98 on Okaloosa Island with a new interchange.

Alternative 9 – Follows along SR 393 between US 98 and SR 189 (Beal Parkway). Then travels east along SR 189 to the Yacht Club Drive intersection. Alternative 9 continues east on Yacht Club Drive and extends into Choctawhatchee Bay where it turns and travels south utilizing a new bridge. Alternative 9 then ties back into US 98 on Okaloosa Island with a new interchange.

Alternative 10 – Follows along SR 393 between US 98 and Hollywood Boulevard. Then travels east along Hollywood Boulevard to SR 85 where it turns southeast via an elevated roadway through Fort Walton Beach. Alternative 10 then ties back into US 98 and would use the proposed Brooks Bridge replacement bridge to cross Santa Rosa Sound.

ALT

7ALT

7

ALT

9ALT

9

ALT

6ALT

6

ALT

8ALT

8

ALT

5ALT

5ALT

4ALT

4

ALT

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3

ALT

10ALT

10

ALT

1ALT

1ALT

2ALT

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LEGEND

Alternative 1

Alternative 2

Alternative 3

Alternative 4

Alternative 5

Alternative 6

Alternative 7

Alternative 8

Alternative 9

Alternative 10

AlternativeCorridors

98

98

189A

393189

85

85

30

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Santa Rosa Sound

ChoctawhatcheeBay

Gulf of Mexico

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Hol lywood Blvd.

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3

Preliminary Findings and Recommendations

CORRIDORPURPOSE AND

NEED EVALUATIONENVIRONMENTAL

EVALUATIONENGINEERING EVALUATION OVERALL

SCORE*OVERALL

RANK

RECOMMENDED FOR FURTHER

ANALYSIS BASED ON EVALUATION?

Score Rank Score Rank Score Rank

Alternative 1 51 9 14 1 19 9 19 7 No

Alternative 2 49 8 18 5 11 1 14 5 No

Alternative 3 55 10 22 7 16 7 24 9 No

Alternative 4 36 6 33 10 15 4 20 8 No

Alternative 5 17 1 25 8 18 8 17 6 No

Alternative 6 19 2 20 6 15 4 12 3 No

Alternative 7 26 4 15 2 12 2 8 1 Yes

Alternative 8 32 5 17 4 15 4 13 4 No

Alternative 9 40 7 31 9 21 10 26 10 No

Alternative 10 25 3 16 3 12 2 8 1 Yes*Overall Score is the sum of the Purpose and Need, Environmental, and Engineering rankings. It is possible for more than one alternative to have equal scores and in that case, they are also given the same rank.

Note: The recommendations listed above do not take into account public or agency feedback. Public and agency feedback will be factored into the final recommendation that will be documented in the corridor report and reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration at the conclusion of this study.