In what seems like their never-ending quest to remain the most auto-centric government institution in the state of Florida, the Florida Department of Transportation continues to live up to their unspoken promise of neglecting the non-motorized transportation components of their projects.
You might have noticed that over the past month or so, FDOT has been resurfacing the Julia Tuttle Causeway. Although the asphalt looks great, they failed to consider pedestrians and bicyclists during the planning and implementation process of this project.
Miami Beach is connected to Miami through a network of four causeways. Unfortunately, the only legal means in which pedestrians and bicyclists can traverse Biscayne Bay is via the MacArthur Causeway, the Venetian Causeway or the 79th Street Causeway. The fourth causeway is the Julia Tuttle Causeway, and because it is considered part of the interstate highway system, bicyclists and pedestrians are prohibited from utilizing one of the main connectors between the mainland and Miami Beach.
All four causeways should, and can accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians safely. This is not debatable, since all forms of transportation converge at the causeways for connectivity between Miami and Miami Beach. It is much more difficult for a bicyclist or pedestrian to go 5-6 miles out of their way to arrive to their destination, then it is for a motor vehicle. Bicyclists and pedestrians should not be forced to choose an alternative route when there are so few options. The MacArthur, Julia Tuttle, and 79th Street Causeway should have a designated and protected bicycle facility due to the high speed and volumes of motor vehicle traffic. The Venetian Causeway, with lower speed limits, can accommodate bicyclists more safely with clearly marked bicycle lanes. Regardless, every causeway should be evaluated independently since each one could have a contextually appropriate facility.
The recent resurfacing was another lost opportunity for FDOT to prove to that they understand the “complete streets” approach to engineering roads for motorized and non-motorized vehicles as well as pedestrians. Although there is real difference between street resurfacing projects and larger infrastructure, the assertion could be made that at present, the Julia Tuttle has a long stretch of mostly unused greenspace that could serve perfectly as a bike path on either side, allowing access to the water, recreation etc. along the highway’s trajectory. In any case, here we are in the 21st century, and FDOT is not taking the initiative and considering non-motorized transportation in many of their projects. The fact remains that it is still illegal for bicycle and pedestrians to use the Julia Tuttle Causeway.
Rumor has it that the MacArthur Causeway is due for an overhaul soon, and that Bicycle Lanes are to be part of the project. Let’s hope that FDOT follows through, and adds contextually appropriate, physically protected bikeways.
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The thing is FDOT District 6 has this idea that Miami is too dangerous to ride a bike, so they don’t design their roadways safer to make it less dangerous to ride a bike.
This is not just cyclists that are excluded but pedestrians too. Some real effort should be raised to get them to seriously take them and their needs into consideration.
It looks like they prefer campers to bikers, pedestrians or runners … the number of tents along the causeway is growing everyday ! Very nice and clean in the middle of the city. However, what a terrific view they have.
[...] choice by FDOT not to include appropriate bicycle facilities on bridges and causeways (i.e. Julia Tuttle and MacArthur Causeway). FDOT needs to understand that they have an obligation to consider the [...]