Considering that interested parties will be meeting with Representative Luis Garcia to discuss the Brickell Avenue resurfacing project, I thought it was time again to bring attention to some of the current design problems regarding crosswalks on Brickell Avenue.
Previously, I showed a couple videos illustrating some of the current problems pedestrians face on this important street. The first, showed the disregard for pedestrians at intersections and the second showed an odd problem that prevents crosswalks from turning green when the drawbridge on Brickell Avenue is up (even when one is blocks away from the current bridge).
When I shot those videos, I also shot one showing the current problems faced by pedestrians to get across Brickell Avenue due to the lack of crosswalks. As the street is designed now, crosswalks are located at unsatisfactory intervals – especially considering the density of the surrounding neighborhood.
In the following video, I left an office building and wanted to get across the street. Rather than just cross at the nearest intersection (as is common in ANY urban environment), I walked to the closest crosswalk going south – as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) currently expects me to do. What should have been a 30 second trip, became an unbelievable long 8+ minute journey. According to FDOT this is an acceptable situation for the densest urban area of the entire State of Florida. I nevertheless think otherwise.
9 Responses to More Crosswalks on Brickell Avenue
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You rock for taking the time and sweat to make this! I hope they do something like the example in Mexico.
A clear example of when gov should direct its transportation agency to be more responsive. FDOT should be held liable for creating and sustaining a culture dangerous to pedestrians.
We need more crosswalks on Brickell Avenue for sure, and they need to lower the speed limits in Brickell and Downtown. Crossing a street shouldn’t be dangerous.
Adam, fantastic expose!
Does FDOT have zero interest in the local economy?
How can we be moving people and commerce freely if it takes 8 minutes to cross the street?
If you can’t easily, comfortably and safely access colleagues and business counterparts within the Financial District, why not have your office in Doral or Miami Beach or the Gables? The City of Miami needs to understand that they have a vested interest in taking back Brickell Avenue and ensuring it is managed as the true commercial epicenter of the Americas.
Yes, it comes down to tax dollars and business sense when quality of life and community safety are deemed inadequate.
Same thing is needed along US1. I have this same problem trying to find a safe intersection to cross with a crosswalk. And something else too that I’ve noticed all over Miami. Why do we put so many signs and poles and garbage bins, and bus shelters, etc in the way of the pedestrian thoroughfare? You have to zig zag you’re way around all of these obstacles.
Imagine how much more the first floor businesses located on this street could make if the walk were better shaded, (encouraging people to walk to them).
Once you get in that car, you can go anywhere. When you’re walking, you’re limited to a small area. Shade trees are a better investment than expensive store signs.
(BTW: As Adam’s video shows, Brickell is pretty well-shaded by South Florida standards. BUT, it’s not shaded enough to encourage you to walk. Lincoln Road is shaded and that’s a big reason it has so many walkers/customers.)
Good Point Mike. Brickell needs more shading – the walk can be hell in the Summer and Fall. Luckily, some of the newer buildings such as The Plaza on Brickell and The Avenue planted oaks instead of palm trees – but they will take years to mature. Just in the last two years, the oaks in front of the Plaza have begun to provide more shade – but it will take at least 2-3 more to be adequate.
Lincoln Road is spectacular for many reasons, many of which the City of Miami fails to take into account both on Brickell, US1, and Flagler Street.
The crosswalk situation is much the same on US1 in downtown. Stupid crosswalk design to encourage the flow of cars at maximum speed – even though 1-95 is like 5 blocks away. If people want to go fast though downtown, hop on the highway – if not, take it easy and enjoy the spectacular setting.
Ditto on the crosswalks for NE 36th St between N Miami Ave and NE 2nd Avenue. I live in Midtown Miami and it is nearly impossible to cross over into the Design District.