FDOT: No observation of nest from south side of Pines Boulevard

[NewMexiKen]

On September 9, 2009, representatives from the Pembroke Pines Bald Eagle Sanctuary Steering Committee met with David Bogardus, Senior Environmental Specialist, FDOT District 4 Planning & Environmental Management and other senior Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) staff. We discussed our common concerns about the dangers to eagle nest watchers who gather along the south shoulder of the 20800 block of Pines Boulevard. The full text of the Steering Committee's position may be found at this link. The Committee requested that FDOT consider several measuers, including:

1.     Placement of  a temporary hard barrier along the south (eastbound) side of the highway, to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic.

2.     Improve “No Parking” signage so that the signs on the south side of the 20800 block of Pines Boulevard face oncoming traffic.

3.    Add temporary warning traffic signs recommending that motorists exercise caution and reduce speed along that stretch of roadway during the months of January through May.

4.    Develop, in cooperation with the City of Pembroke Pines, durable temporary signs that instruct pedestrian observers to utilize crosswalks at signal lights (at corners of 209th  and 208th Avenues) and provide additional information to increase observer safety, such as advising pedestrians to stay off the shoulder or roadway, control children and pets, avoid littering, (etc).

5.    Construction of a pedestrian sidewalk on the south side of the block, in view of the increased pedestrian traffic at all times of the year

6.    Consultation with the City as to alternative parking areas other than the south side of the 20800 block of Pines Boulevard, such as use of side streets and soft road shoulders located on the FDOT right-of-way.  

Mr. Bogardus provided us with a report (view it at this link) of the meeting that summarizes FDOT's position. The good news is that it is clear that FDOT intends to institute measures to improve the safety of observers on the south side of the highway. The bad news is that the time frame for developing and implementing these measures means that such action will not be completed until after the 2011 nesting season. In the meantime, eagle nest observers (and all pedestrians) will be prohibited from entering the south side of Pines Boulevard. Further, there is no practical solution to the lack of safe and suitable parking. The following are key excerpts from Mr. Bogardus' report:

FDOT stated that it does not wish to facilitate any pedestrian gathering on the south side of Pines Blvd due to safety concerns. Instead protective measures would focus on restricting pedestrians to the north side of Pines Blvd. where there is a sidewalk.

The Department will post signs on the corner of 209th Avenue stating pedestrians must cross Pines Blvd. on 208th Avenue.  No crosswalk exists on 209th Avenue.  

FDOT signage would be corrected to face oncoming traffic and additional signage would also be added including – “No Pedestrians” and “No Parking” on the south side of the road.

FDOT does not wish to accommodate or encourage parking on its right of way along Pines Blvd due to safety concerns.

The City has erected a fence to keep people from approaching the nest tree.  However, the view near the fence is not ideal due to the dense forest.  Instead people back up towards Pines Blvd. and the road island where the view is better, but dangerous to vehicle traffic.  FDOT Planning and Environmental Management will coordinate with the design Project Manager, Henry Oaikhena to see if some type of viewing platform/elevated sidewalk can be incorporated into his Pines Blvd resurfacing project (construction is scheduled to begin in June 2011).

A pedestrian sidewalk is planned for the south side of Pines Blvd. from US 27th to 208th Ave.  The project timeframe is June 2011, depending on approval of environmental concerns (wetland & eagle) with the agencies (SFWMD, USFWS, and FWC).

The Department’s plans for the sidewalk should be re-evaluated to see if any opportunities exist in terms of the eagles and pedestrian safety.
 
= = = = = = = = = = =

In summary, eagle nest observers will be restricted to the north side of Pines Boulevard for the next two breeding seasons. We expressed our disappointment that FDOT was unable to come up with a solution that was more accomodating to the needs of the many citizens who will surely continue to seek views of the birds during the peak observation season during the months of February through April. Veteran nest watchers probably share my belief that enforcement of the restrictions will place a burden upon local police. Volunteer watchers should not be expected enforce the traffic laws, but rather provide information to the public and notify the police department of any violations. I believe we should actively discourage media attention, as it has been very effective in increasing the numbers of observers. Until FDOT actually approves and implements these changes, provision of additional legal parking may actually worsen the situation.    

[Mike Fossler]

People will gather on the south side and in the median as the nest/eagles are barely visible from the north sidewalk. FDOT's statement is simply an effort to relieve them of liability if something were to happen to someone gathered at these southern locations. They should realize no amount of signage will prevent a southern migration of folks and are foolish to think otherwise.
MF

[Trisha]

It's hard to understand why it's safer standing on the north side of the road as opposed to the south. Yes, there's a sidewalk on the north, back from the road, but how do you suggest to people to stand on it, especially if the nest is not visible? It also seems that FDOT is putting parked cars and nest watchers back in to the same corridor. I also fail to see how this is a safer situation.

Hopefully, something like a nest cam could be worked out to monitor the young eagles in their unique urban setting.  

[Mike Fossler]

If FDOT proceeds with signage which prohibits folks from observing from the median or south side it will put the local police and nest watchers at odds. No one can say how much effort the Pines Police would put into enforcement of any such signage but if they decide to strictly enforce it, many observers would be discouraged from coming. They have made their point they cannot provide a permenant solution until 2011, and this is understood, but signage prohibiting standing along the south side should be discouraged. Signage something like "Please use sidewalk on north side of road for your own safety - any pedestrian walking or standing along south side of roadway does so at his/her own risk" would relieve FDOT from risk and take the burden of enforcement from the local PD. Observers would see the authorities feel there is a risk involved with standing along the roadway and thus should be vigilant about monitoring passing traffic - but would not be prohibited from observing from these vantage points until a permenant solution is in place.

MF

[NewMexiKen]

Thanks, Mike.  

I have forwarded your concerns to FDOT.

A safe pedestrian crossing at the Pines & 209th Avenue intersection will be very difficult to engineer, because of its configuration, so I think crossing must be prohibited at that point.

FDOT lacks enforcement authority (except for checking truck weights and safety), and it does rely upon local police to assure compliance with its traffic regulations.  

I believe that the wording of the signs has already been decided, but perhaps there is time for FDOT to consider your comments about verbiage of those along the south side of the highway.

[NewMexiKen]

Yes, Trisha. Since the sidewalk on the north side of the street is quite low, the nest may more likely be obscured by branches in front of it. To get a better view, people will tend to walk up the shoulder and stand very near the pavement-- nearer, in fact, than would be necessary on the south side. At least the road will be in front of them. On the north side, observers tended to back up toward the pavement.

The issue with FDOT seems not be be whether it is safer for PEDESTRIANS, but rather that ANY barrier, whether a hard concrete "Jersey barrier" or a soft one like a plastic mesh fence strung between water barrels, is a hazard to the MOTORISTS. Even if room is left for a 10 foot shoulder, the barrier would cut down on the "clear zone," as mentioned in the FDOT report of our meeting.  (I think that refers to the wide area beyond the shoulder that allows vehicles a measure of safety in case of loss of control, but am not entirely certain).  

Trisha wrote

It's hard to understand why it's safer standing on the north side of the road as opposed to the south. Yes, there's a sidewalk on the north, back from the road, but how do you suggest to people to stand on it, especially if the nest is not visible? It also seems that FDOT is putting parked cars and nest watchers back in to the same corridor. I also fail to see how this is a safer situation.

Hopefully, something like a nest cam could be worked out to monitor the young eagles in their unique urban setting.  

[Kathy]

I agree with you, I believe a nest cam and possible a cam covering general area would be a great idea, would limit number of people at the nest and also afford us a closer look at the eagles without interfering with them.