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Agenda 04/13/2021 Item #12B (Truck Traffic on Logan Blvd Extension)04/13/2021 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A report to the Board concerning truck traffic on Logan Boulevard Extension. OBJECTIVE: To discuss alternatives to address concerns relating to truck traffic on Logan Blvd. Extension. CONSIDERATIONS: During the Board’s Regular meeting on March 23, 2021, staff presented a report regarding truck traffic on Logan Boulevard Extension between Immokalee Road and the Lee County line (Item 11E). Staff’s recommendation was: “That staff continues the ongoing efforts to manage traffic on Logan Boulevard and address community concerns. It is not recommended to restrict truck traffic on Logan Boulevard.” The Board directed the County Attorney to review the matter and report back with options, including: ➢ Widening the roadway and shoulders for enhanced safety ➢ Restricting truck traffic ➢ Bring forth options for limiting “jake braking.” ➢ Include curbing for biker and pedestrian safety Background The following background was provided by Trinity Scott, Transportation Planning Manager. A roadway connection between Immokalee Road and Bonita Beach Road has been contemplated since at least 1985, with rights of way being set aside by the Olde Cypress Planned Unit Development (PUD), Terafina PUD, and the Parklands PUD respectively as they progressed through the zoning and development process. The roadway connection has been discussed multiple times either at the Board of County Commissioners meetings and the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization meetings since that timeframe. The Terafina PUD was required to build Logan Boulevard Extension from the terminus at Treeline Drive to their project entrance (Seven Seas Boulevard), as a requirement of their Ordinance. The Parklands PUD was required to construct the remainder of the connection to Bonita Beach Road. As required by the Code of Federal Regulations and Florida Statute, all public roadways must be constructed in accordance with the Florida Greenbook. The developer constructed portion of the roadway was constructed in accordance with this required manual. These commitments are all stated within the respective PUD Ordinances that are provided to residents at closing. The developer (GL Homes) of the Terafina PUD completed construction of their committed section, the same developer also constructed the Parklands PUD (a.k.a Stonecreek) and constructed the roadway to their respective project entrance. The remaining portion of the roadway from Parklands PUD entrance to Bonita Beach Road remained unconstructed. Beginning in 2011, Collier County staff began applying for Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) funds from the Florida Department of Transportation for the unconstructed segment of Logan Boulevard Extension. TRIP funds are authorized per Florida Statute 339.2819. The minimum requirements for projects to be considered for the funding are that they must serve national, statewide, or regional functions and function as part of an integrated regional system. In the County’s application, staff asserted that Logan Boulevard would serve as a major parallel reliever to a Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) facility (I-75). It was anticipated to be part of the County’s arterial system. The roadway was noted as being a needed north south connection between Lee and Collier counties and both counties will benefit from the completion and extension of the road corridor. 12.B Packet Pg. 317 04/13/2021 In 2016, Collier County entered into a Developer Agreement with the Parklands PUD to assume ownership of the Logan Boulevard design plans from Azalea Drive to the Lee County Line and to construct this section of roadway. The impetus of this assumption was that Collier County had received TRIP funds from the Florida Department of Transportation for construction. It should be noted that the developer of both Terafina and Parklands was the responsible party that designed the roadway, in accordance with the Florida Greenbook and County staff constructed a typical section in substantial agreement with the developer’s proposed plans which did not include noise abatement. GL Homes subsequently completed construction from the Collier County Line to Bonita Beach Road, which opened to traffic in 2020. County staff began meeting with the property owners along corridor last year ahead of the extension opening fully to Bonita Beach Road. As a result of these meetings, the County procured a consultant to complete intersection control evaluations at the entrances to each of the three communities. Intersection Control Evaluations are a data-driven, performance-based framework and approach used to objectively screen alternatives and identify an optimal geometric and control solution for an intersection and supported by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT. County staff has conducted multiple public meetings and has received concurrence from two of the communities with a desire for a roundabout at their respective entrances. County staff is continuing to work with the communities and is working through budgeting to determine when the improvements may be programmed and ultimately constructed. As a result of the public engagement regarding the project, staff has designed and as a separate action item on this agenda is seeking approval of a budget amendment to appropriate funds into the proper project that will facilitate the issuance of a work order to allow for construction of median crossovers north of Azalea Drive. This project will provide an area for incapacitated vehicles to be able to exit the travel lanes, thereby allowing typical traffic to continue moving, as well as allow for emergency vehicles to be able to traverse more easily both north and south. Based on staff’s observations, the majority of the dump truck traffic originates from the Bonita Grande Mine. County staff coordinated with City of Bonita Springs staff who indicated that in July 2021, a Residential Planned Development to transition the mine to post-mining uses, was approved. It is not known how long the mine will continue to operate. At the Board meeting, Commissioner Solis inquired if a truck restriction were put in place where would the trucks be redirected. Since I-75 is the next closest route, it is anticipated that the trucks would divert west to I-75, a Strategic Intermodal System roadway. Since the County accepted in excess of $2.2M of TRIP funds from the FDOT, Staff reached out to them to ascertain their opinion as it related to possible payback of funds if a truck restriction were placed and if such restriction would impact consideration of future TRIP funds for other projects. On March 24, 2021, FDOT responded by stating there are eligibility criteria for TRIP Projects and if the County had a facility that had received funding, they would need to meet those same criteria. County staff examined the crash data for pedestrians and bicycles for the entire Collier County segment that has been in operation since 2016 and did not find any incidents involving pedestrians and/or bicyclists. County staff has continued to monitor the intersection at Immokalee Road at Logan Boulevard via the Traffic Management Operations Center cameras and staff has not encountered excessive truck traffic that was experienced in the latter part of January and early February. Discussion Following the Board’s meeting the County Attorney drove Logan Blvd. Extension, which strikes me as 12.B Packet Pg. 318 04/13/2021 more as a residential collector than an arterial road. From what I have gathered from limited personal observation and discussions with staff, truck traffic appears to be a single -source issue, with a parade of dump trucks apparently originating from a single mine that likely varies in intensity based on daily demand of material. With this in mind, the County Attorney proposes the following options: 1. Allow staff sufficient time to discuss the issue with the owner/operator of the Bonita Gr ande Mine and with the City of Bonita Springs to ascertain whether the issue can be amicably resolved by having these dump trucks use an alternative route. During this time staff would continue to monitor the intersection at Immokalee Road at Logan Boulevard. If staff is successful in amicably resolving the matter, staff will report back to the Board with a recommendation that further action is not needed. If staff is unsuccessful, or the issue turns out to be greater than a sole-source issue, a follow-up agenda item to the Board will be brought. 2. Should option one be unsuccessful, in a follow-up agenda item the Board could consider banning trucks from the Logan Blvd. Extension. The County currently has an ordinance that provides that “No person shal l operate any truck or other commercial vehicle with a rated capacity in excess of one ton upon any road or street in the county whenever such road or street is posted with signs prohibiting such operation, except as hereinafter provided.” The downside to this is the County risks FDOT claw -back on all or a portion of the $2.2M of TRIP funds the County received for this project. As a portion of this road is within the City of Bonita Springs, the County would need to coordinate with the City. 3. Jake Brake ordinances have previously been considered by this Office and the Board. They are problematic from both a legal and from a practical viewpoint. Such an ordinance in likely preempted on both Federal and State grounds. From a Federal legal standpoint, 42 USCA §4917 and 40 CFR 202 set permissible noise levels emitted by trucks and preempt state and local legislation unless identical to the federal standards. From a State standpoint, while the language in Fla. Stat. §316.008 does give local authorities the ability to regulate “heavily traveled streets by any class or kind of traffic found to be incompatible with the normal and safe movement of traffic”, the real issue with Jake Brakes is not related to the “normal and safe movement of traffic” but rather is the excessive noise they produce. Accordingly, such an ordinance may be outside the scope of local traffic authority in Florida. From a practical standpoint, law enforcement would have to be at the very location at the very time a truck used its Jake Brake in order for a citation to be issued. 4. With respect to widening the roadway and shoulders, the roadway was built to the required Federal and State statutes in effect at the time of construction. On this same agenda, County staff is bringing forward a budget amendment for the median crossover project that will allow for incapacitated vehicles to exit the travel lanes and allow emergency vehicles access to turn around. Also, staff is continuing to work with the residents on their individual developme nt access points. The Board may direct staff to review the cross-section and provide various options such as the addition of shoulders or sidewalks and the associated estimated costs for the options. It should be noted that modifications to the existing cr oss-section may require reconstruction of the stormwater management system and may require additional right -of- way acquisition. FISCAL IMPACT: None at this time. GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: None. 12.B Packet Pg. 319 04/13/2021 LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is legally sufficient for Board action and requires majority vote for Board action. - JAK RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to discuss the issue with the owner/operator of the Bonita Grande Mine and with the City of Bonita Springs to ascertain whether the issue can be amicably resolved, continue to monitor the intersection at Immokalee Road at Logan Boulevard for excessive truck traffic, and instruct staff to report back to the Board. Prepared by: Jeffrey A. Klatzkow, County Attorney ATTACHMENT(S) 1. Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (PDF) 12.B Packet Pg. 320 04/13/2021 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 12.B Doc ID: 15492 Item Summary: Report to the Board concerning truck traffic on Logan Boulevard Extension. Meeting Date: 04/13/2021 Prepared by: Title: Legal Assistant – County Attorney's Office Name: Wanda Rodriguez 04/06/2021 8:56 AM Submitted by: Title: County Attorney – County Attorney's Office Name: Jeffrey A. Klatzkow 04/06/2021 8:56 AM Approved By: Review: Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 04/06/2021 9:09 AM County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 04/06/2021 12:45 PM Budget and Management Office Mark Isackson Additional Reviewer Completed 04/06/2021 4:20 PM County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 04/07/2021 8:54 AM Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 04/13/2021 9:00 AM 12.B Packet Pg. 321 03/23/2021 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Recommendation to accept the staff report regarding truck traffic on Logan Boulevard Extension between Immokalee Road and the Lee County line. OBJECTIVE: To report on truck traffic on Logan Boulevard between Immokalee Road and the Lee County line. CONSIDERATIONS: In 2011, Collier County staff applied for Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) funds through the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) joint priority process with the Lee MPO for the extension of Logan Boulevard from Immokalee Road to the Collier County Line. TRIP funds are authorized pursuant to Florida Statute 339.2819 for the purpose of providing funds to improve regionally significant transportation facilities that serve national, statewide or regional functions as part of an integrated transportation system. The application indicated that Logan Boulevard would serve as a major parallel reliever to I-75, a strategic intermodal system facility. Furthermore, the new roadway would become part of the County’s arterial network and would provide the first north south connection to Lee County, east of I-75. At the May 10, 2016, Board meeting, an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation was approved to accept $2,663,736 of Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) funding pursuant to Florida State 339.2819, for a bi-county regional roadway to provide safe access for the increased traffic due to significant growth in the area. The County went on to award a bid for construction and ultimately coordinated with the City of Bonita Springs and the local developer (GL Homes) for the completion of the roadway to Bonita Beach Road, which opened in March 2020. In late January 2021, Traffic Operations staff was contacted regarding concerns with truck traffic. Due to similar concerns in 2020, staff had performed 24-hour classification counts on this section of Logan Boulevard in March 2020 and had scheduled to repeat the counts in March 2021, one year later. The counts performed in March 2020 had a very low percentage of truck traffic in relation to the overall traffic on the roadway (1.7%). To determine if truck traffic is considered ‘excessive’, 24-hour classification counts are reviewed to determine the percentage of truck traffic in relation to the overall 24-hour traffic. The counts provide an hourly tally of the number of vehicles for the entire 24-hour period. The counts are further categorized to type of vehicle. The types include motor bikes, cars & trailers, buses, and numerous categories of number of axles. A ‘normal’ amount of larger trucks (e.g. dump trucks, tractor semi-trailers, etc.) is considered to be approximately 3% of the overall traffic. An ‘excessive’ amount of larger trucks is considered over 5% of the overall traffic. When identifying ‘larger’ trucks, this designation does not include standard delivery trucks such as UPS, Fed-Ex, etc. or landscaping trucks. Staff used guidance from the Manual of Transportation Engineering Studies, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports, similar work completed by other entities, and their own experience to determine these percentages. FHWA Report No. FHWA-PL-97-025 indicated that combination trucks and multi-trailer trucks (essentially all truck traffic) had a national average truck percentage of 4.5%. Staff prefers to be conservative and include a portion of single unit truck traffic which includes the classification that has dump trucks in these percentages. To be even more conservative, staff additionally reduced the percentage considered ‘normal’ to 3% and considered over 5% to be ‘excessive’ for this roadway (two-lane public road connecting two major arterials). Based on the additional community concerns, staff rescheduled the counts to February 9-11, 2021. The 11.E Packet Pg. 408 12.B.1 Packet Pg. 322 Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic on Logan Blvd. Extension.) 03/23/2021 same week the new counts were taken, Wink News aired a news segment about the truck traffic, the Collier County Sheriff enforced speeding, and staff reached out to trucking companies and developers regarding their construction traffic using this roadway segment. At that time, staff followed trucks to three locations: a new Collier County complex at Heritage Bay, a new Charter School site at the Fogg’s Nursery & Mulch Supply location, and a new development across from Twin Eagles. Staff reached out to trucking companies to ask if they could find an alternate route, however, staff does not have authority to require a specific route. The counts showed that truck traffic progressively reduced over the three days indicating that the coordinated effort had worked. The truck traffic was 5.1% on the first day, 3.9% on the second day, and the third day was 3.6%. Additional 24-hour classification counts were taken on February 23-25, 2021. The results verified that truck traffic had indeed been reduced and was on average 2.9% of the overall traffic. Staff continues to monitor this situation through the cameras at the intersection of Logan Boulevard and Immokalee Road. To date the truck traffic witnessed appears to be below the 5% mark. The Board accepted State funding to construct this regionally significant roadway and to restrict truck traffic is contrary to the goals and objectives of the funding program. However, the county is undertaking additional efforts to improve safety and operational efficiency along this sector of Logan Boulevard. Two median crossovers, which will allow for a turnaround movement in the median in case of an emergency (2,200 feet east of Azalea Drive and 4,400 feet further north), will be constructed this summer. In addition, county staff has met twice with each of the adjacent communities, Riverstone, StoneCreek and Olde Cypress to discuss improvements to their intersections on Logan Boulevard. These meetings were well attended by hundreds of residents and the communities are currently deciding whether roundabouts would meet their needs. Staff will continue to work with the communities on these improvements as well as with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for continued enforcement along the corridor. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This action will result in no growth management impact. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney. The staff recommendation raises no legal issues and requires majority vote for approval. Should the Board wish to consider restricting truck traffic on Logan Blvd., the County Attorney would request that the matter be continued and brought back at a future Board meeting. -JAK RECOMMENDATION: That staff continues the ongoing efforts to manage traffic on Logan Boulevard and address community concerns. It is not recommended to restrict truck traffic on Logan Boulevard. Prepared by: Daniel G. Hall, P.E., Transportation Engineering Division ATTACHMENT(S) 1. Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (PDF) 11.E Packet Pg. 409 12.B.1 Packet Pg. 323 Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic on Logan Blvd. Extension.) 03/23/2021 COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 11.E Doc ID: 15338 Item Summary: Recommendation to accept the staff report regarding truck traffic on Logan Boulevard Extension between Immokalee Road and the Lee County line. (Anthony Khawaja, Chief Engineer Traffic Operations) Meeting Date: 03/23/2021 Prepared by: Title: – Growth Management Department Name: Christine Arnold 03/17/2021 8:38 AM Submitted by: Title: Dept Head - Growth Management – Growth Management Department Name: Thaddeus Cohen 03/17/2021 8:38 AM Approved By: Review: Transportation Engineering Jay Ahmad Additional Reviewer Completed 03/17/2021 8:41 AM Growth Management Department Anthony Khawaja Additional Reviewer Completed 03/17/2021 8:49 AM Growth Management Department Jeanne Marcella Level 1 Reviewer Completed 03/17/2021 9:26 AM Growth Management Department Jeanne Marcella Department Head Review Completed 03/17/2021 9:27 AM County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 03/17/2021 9:42 AM County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 03/17/2021 2:10 PM Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 03/23/2021 9:00 AM 11.E Packet Pg. 410 12.B.1 Packet Pg. 324 Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic on Logan Blvd. Extension.) Truck Traffic on Logan Boulevard between Immokalee Road and the Lee County Line 1Anthony Khawaja, P.E.Chief Engineer Traffic Operations11.E.1Packet Pg. 411Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 325Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic 211.E.1Packet Pg. 412Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 326Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic 3333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333The dump trucks originated from the Bonita Grande Mine:11.E.1Packet Pg. 413Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 327Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic 4Excessive truck traffic02/03/2021 2:25PM11.E.1Packet Pg. 414Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 328Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic 5Normal truck traffic11.E.1Packet Pg. 415Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 329Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic 6Truck CountsxFlorida Department of Transportation defines a truck as: A vehicle engaged primarily in the transport of goods and materials.xCombination trucks and multi-trailer trucks (excludes classes 6 and 7) had a national average truck percentage of 4.5%.xStaff included classes 6 and 7 of single unit truck traffic (dump trucks) in our percentages. We do not include standard delivery trucks (UPS, Fed-Ex, etc.) or landscaping trucks (class 5).x24- hour classification counts are reviewed to determine the percentage of truck traffic in relation to the overall 24-hour traffic.xStaff reduced the percentage considered ‘normal’ to 3% and considered 5% to be ‘excessive’ for this roadway (two-lane public road connecting two major arterials).11.E.1Packet Pg. 416Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 330Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic 790009500100001050011000115002/9-2/10 2/10-2/11 2/11-2/12 2/23 2/24 2/2524-Hour CountsOther TrafficTruck Traffic5.1%3.9%3.6%3.1%3.6%2.0%11.E.1Packet Pg. 417Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 331Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic Review of Truck Traffic on Logan Boulevard8xLogan Boulevard is an important connection between Collier and Lee County;xTransportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP, Florida Statute 339.2819) funds of $2,663,736 were used to build the road:ximprove regionally significant transportation facilities that serve national, statewide or regional functions as part of an integrated transportation system;xparallel to I-75, part of the County’s arterial network, only north south connection to Lee County east of I-7511.E.1Packet Pg. 418Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 332Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic Review of Truck Traffic on Logan Boulevard9xTo restrict truck traffic is contrary to the goals and objectives of the funding program;xStaff undertaking additional efforts to improve safety and operational efficiency:oTwo median crossovers will be constructed this summer allowing for a turnaround movement in the median in case of an emergency;oStaff met twice with the adjacent communities, Riverstone, StoneCreek and Olde Cypress, to discuss improvements to their intersections on Logan Boulevard. 11.E.1Packet Pg. 419Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 333Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic Conclusion & Recommendation10xThe Traffic Management Center has monitored the intersection of Logan Blvd and Immokalee Rd and the truck traffic witnessed appears to be below the 5% mark.xStaff continues the ongoing efforts to manage traffic on Logan Boulevard and address community concerns.xNot recommended to restrict truck traffic on Logan Boulevard.11.E.1Packet Pg. 420Attachment: Logan Boulevard Presentation BCC (15338 : Logan Blvd Truck Traffic)12.B.1Packet Pg. 334Attachment: Agenda item 11E - 3.23.21 BCC meeting (15492 : Report to the Board concerning truck traffic