September 22, 2020 | Issue 9 |
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PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES & INFORMATION |
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FDOT to Host Rail Safety Week Webinar Featuring Secretary Thibault |
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Join the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 to celebrate Rail Safety Week and hear about new rail initiatives occurring throughout Miami-Dade County. During this two-hour webinar you will hear from FDOT State Secretary Kevin J. Thibault, P.E., District Six Secretary James Wolfe, P.E., FDOT Staff and local experts. They will discuss rail operations and statistics, ongoing and planned rail projects, outreach campaigns and how you can participate, and learn about safe behavior when approaching/crossing railroads. |
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Malabar Road PD&E Virtual Public Meeting: Sept. 24 |
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The City of Palm Bay will host a Virtual Public Meeting for the Malabar Road Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 5:30 pm. Attendees must register here.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate alternatives addressing the long-term transportation needs of Malabar Road. The alternatives being considered involve widening Malabar Road from two to four lanes, the addition of bicycle and pedestrian features, and intersection and safety improvements. The No-Build or "do nothing" alternative is also being considered.
The limits of the study are from the St. Johns Heritage Parkway in Brevard County to Minton Road in the City of Palm Bay. The PD&E Study process involves a combination of engineering evaluations, environmental analysis, and public involvement. The webinar and meeting materials are available on the project website.
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Space Coast Area Transit to Resume Fare Collection Oct 1, 2020 |
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Effective Thursday, October 1, 2020, fare collection will be resumed on all buses. Purchase Monthly Passes Online, at Space Coast Area Transit Terminals, or at Designated Brevard County Libraries.
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Save the Date! 2020 Mobility Week: Oct 30 - Nov 6 |
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Raise your hand if you're ready for 2020 #MobilityWeekCFL! Outreach looks a little different right now, but the SCTPO is excited to provide some awesome events this year to highlight the importance of mobility options. Sneak peek? Virtual webinars, pop-up safety awareness events, and a special event for kiddos, a Walk N' Craft: Things That Move Us! Stay tuned!
In the meantime, check out the video to learn more about Mobility Week.
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TRENDING IN TRANSPORTATION |
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SCTPO Governing Board Actions Recap: September 2020 Meeting |
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Here are the actions that the SCTPO Governing Board made during the September 10, 2020 meeting:
- Adopted Space Coast TPO FY 2021 Operating Budget
- Approved Interlocal Agreement with Board of County Commissioners
- Approved Central Florida MPO Alliance FY 21 Regional Prioritized Project List
- Adopted 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan
- Approved Indian River/Brevard Regional Trail Alignment
Missed the board meeting? Re-watch it at your convenience, below.
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As of September 16, 2020, below is a list of updated construction work on major FDOT road projects. For more info visit www.cflroads.com.
S.R. 3 Christa McAuliffe Drawbridge over Canaveral Barge Canal- Bridge Lock Replacement & Fender Maintenance Projects
- Project will begin the week of October 5.
- This project requires alternating bridge closures that will begin when the project starts. When one bridge is closed, traffic will be moved to the adjacent bridge until work on the closed bridge is complete.
- This project is scheduled to be complete in less than one year. (Schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen events).
S.R. 518 ( Eau Gallie Boulevard) Resurfacing & Widening Project
- Project will begin the week of October 5.
- The improvements under this Contract consist of milling and resurfacing and widening S.R. 518 from 800’ west of Mosswood Drive to 120’ west of Stewart Avenue in Brevard County, FL.
- Work includes widening S.R. 518 to add a left turn lane, new sidewalk, new curbing, roadway striping, highway signing and drainage work.
- This project is scheduled to be completed in less than six months. (Schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen events)
Drainage Improvements on U.S. 1 Rockledge
- Northbound traffic to be switched to southbound lanes on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
- This project is adding a new box culvert on U.S. 1 in Rockledge to help alleviate flooding that this area is prone to.
Intersection Improvements Hibiscus, Ballard and U.S. 192
- This work is upgrading the signal system at three intersections on U.S. 1 in Melbourne. Mast arms will replace the current cable and pole system.
- There will be daily lane closures at each intersection.
S.R. 405 at Sisson Road in Titusville Intersection Improvements
- This project will add turn lanes at the intersection & mill and resurface the roadway.
S.R. 405 at Grissom Parkway, Barna Avenue & S.R. 50 in Titusville
- This project will add turn lanes and upgrade the signals at each intersection.
S.R. 514 (Malabar Road) Widening from Corey Road to Weber Road
- This project will widen a small portion of Malabar Road and add turn lanes.
- No current lane closures.
- Clearing and grubbing the area is complete.
- Utility work including relocates are currently taking place
- Traffic impacts include lane closures & two small detours.
- Lanes and detours may only take place between 8 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.
- Traffic impacts at least three weeks out.
- Traffic Alert Notices are being created
Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Upgrades S.R. 3 (Courtenay Parkway) from Cone Road to S.R. 528
- This project will install an ITS system along S.R. 3 to improve traffic flow and traffic signal data communication.
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SCTPO Supports Brevard Public Schools in Need |
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Every year, SCTPO Education & Safety Coordinator, Kim Smith, works hard to ensure that our local schools are set up for success when it comes to traffic safety and school needs. This year, through the Brevard Schools' Partners in Education Program, the SCTPO has been able to provide lanyards for staff at two schools (Coquina Elementary and the Brevard After School Program). Additionally, Palm Bay Elementary and MILA Elementary now have safety visuals in their car loop to alert motorists to slow down. |
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FHWA, FDOT Celebrate National Roundabouts Week |
Roundabouts are circular intersections that move counterclockwise around a center island and have no traffic signal. Traffic approaching the roundabout should yield to pedestrians and traffic already in the intersection. Vehicles inside the roundabout have the right of way.
With a simple yield at entry and no stop signs or traffic signals, roundabouts can accommodate up to 50% more traffic than typical intersections, making the continuous flow of traffic more efficient.
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FDOT Telecommuting Survey |
Has #COVID19 or #teleworking impacted your transportation behavior for the last six months? Driving less? Bicycling more?
Share your experience with the
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Brightline Orlando Extension Construction Updates |
#DidYouKnow Brightline Trains and Granite Construction will be one of first teams in the nation to use a box-jacking method to build a tunnel for a train in just two weeks, a fraction of the time it would take using conventional methods.
They will be the first team outside the northeast, to use the innovative Petrucco Box Jacking Systems - history in the making!
Motorists and watercraft should proceed with extra caution through work zones and adhere to posted detour signs, speed limits and other signage.
Railroad construction information can also be found online here.
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SCTPO STAFF RECONIGITIONS |
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Let's Build It Together Award |
Congratulations to Chelsea Forgenie and Abby Hemenway for receiving the Let's Build It Together Award for their response to the extremely unique (and stressful) challenges in conducting virtual SCTPO Board and Committee Meetings during the onset of COVID-19.
For example, staff used the SCTPO website, social media channels, and video platforms to announce and broadcast the meetings. Additionally, the audio and video technologies that were also integrated into the mix of streaming meetings were vital in making the transition run as smooth as possible. Conducting and broadcasting meetings required a full team approach. The success of moving over to virtual could not have been accomplished without everyone putting in many extra hours of research, learning and just developing new protocols and directions.
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Steven Bostel,
Transportation Program Manager
Steven Bostel has been recognized for his efforts as the project manager for the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan. The LRTP is the key document every TPO must develop that provides the foundation for the projects that are delivered. Throughout the public involvement process, Steven conducted numerous speaking engagements with local community organizations and the general public.
Unique to this plan was also the engagement with local, state, and federal environmental interest groups. This effort inspired a new approach to involving these groups early on in the planning process which will now be integrated into the annual call for projects.
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Abby Hemenway,
Public Involvement Officer
Getting the public to get involved and excited about transportation planning is a big challenge. In 2019, Abby updated and a new Public Participation Plan (PPP)that was very citizen friendly and documented all of the various SCTPO programs and plans. Deemed an award winning document by the Florida Public Relations Association, the 2019 PPP highlights the public’s role and participation in the transportation planning process.
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Sarah Kraum, Senior Transportation Planner
Sarah Kraum managed the development of the SCTPO’s 2019 Bicycle, Pedestrian Master Plan, an award-winning document.
Supported by a Steering Committee, the plan had a significant public involvement element, that was above and beyond what the SCTPO typically conducts. Also unique to the Plan, was a Title VI, underserved population analysis. The BPMP is a product that will be used for the implementation of projects that improve the quality of life for Brevard Citizens.
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Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week: Sept. 21-26 |
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It’s Child Passenger Safety Awareness week, and did you know an estimated 618,000 children under age 14 ride in an automobile without a safety seat at least some of the time each year?#SafetySeatsSaveLives Get more info here.
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Shape Your Community: Respond to the 2020 Census |
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Improving your community starts with the #2020Census. Your response will inform how $675+ billion in public funding flows into things like community services, health clinics, and transportation.
Answer the call. Time is running out to respond to the #2020Census. Your response will help inform funding for health care, education, and more for the next 10 years. Respond now at http://2020CENSUS.GOV.
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NEWS FEATURES & UPCOMING EVENTS |
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- 9/2/20, Brevard County Newsletter (Sept 2020): Space Coast TPO Seeks Feedback on Minton Road: Cast Your Vote for Roadway Improvements!
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Technical Advisory Committee Meeting: Oct. 5, 9:30 AM |
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Due to the impacts of COVID-19 and to adhere CDC recommendations, the SCTPO will host its Technical and Citizens Advisory Committee Meetings separately to maintain safe social distancing practices.
The SCTPO will hold the Technical Advisory Committee on Monday, October 5, 2020, from 9:30 - 11:30 AM at the Center for Collaboration, located at 1100 Rockledge Blvd. Rockledge, FL 32955.
The Technical Advisory Committee reviews the work progress and evaluates the technical acceptability of plans and studies. They make recommendations to the SCTPO Governing Board, with supporting technical information to assist them with policy-making decisions.
If you have the capability, the SCTPO is strongly encouraging public citizens to please attend virtually. Attending virtually will help to reserve those in-person limited seats for those who may not have access to attend online.
***Committee Members: Please DO NOT use the above link, your custom registration link will be sent to you at a later date.
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Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting: Oct. 5, 1:30 PM |
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Due to the impacts of COVID-19 and to adhere CDC recommendations, the SCTPO will host its Technical and Citizens Advisory Committee Meetings separately to maintain safe social distancing practices.
The SCTPO will hold the Citizens Advisory Committee on Monday, October 5, 2020, from 1:30 - 3:30 PM at the Center for Collaboration, located at 1100 Rockledge Blvd. Rockledge, FL 32955.
The function of the Citizens Advisory Committee is to provide citizens’ views and recommendations on projects, plans, and programs through the Committee to the SCTPO Governing Board.
If you have the capability, the SCTPO is strongly encouraging public citizens to please attend virtually. Attending virtually will help to reserve those in-person limited seats for those who may not have access to attend online.
***Committee Members: Please DO NOT use the above link, your custom registration link will be sent to you at a later date.
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SCTPO Governing Board Meeting: Oct. 8, 1:30 PM |
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The SCTPO will hold the SCTPO Governing Board Meeting on Thursday, October 8, 2020, from 1:30 - 3:30 PM at the Center for Collaboration, located at 1100 Rockledge Blvd. Rockledge, FL 32955.
The Governing Board provides continuous, comprehensive, and cooperative transportation planning process that meets Federal and State guidelines for the expenditure of Federal Transportation funds in Brevard.
If you have the capability, the SCTPO is strongly encouraging public citizens to please attend virtually. Attending virtually will help to reserve those in-person limited seats for those who may not have access to attend online.
***Board Members: Please DO NOT use the above link, your custom registration link will be sent to you at a later date.
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Meetings
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Sept 24: Malabar PD&E Virtual Public Meeting
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Oct 5: Technical Advisory Committee Meeting (9:30 - 11:30 AM)
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Oct 5: Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting (1:30 - 3:30 PM)
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Oct 8: SCTPO Governing Board Meeting
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Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way Viera, FL 32940
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Title VI/Non-discrimination: For questions regarding our civil rights adherence policies, please contact Abby Hemenway, Title VI Coordinator, at abby.hemenway@brevardfl.gov or call 321-690-6890.
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