Opportunity to provide comments to FDOT on plans for design of sidewalk/viewing platform

[NewMexiKen]

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to construct a pedestrian sidewalk for the south side of Pines Blvd. from US 27th to 208th Ave.  One consideration would be an elevated viewing platform.

According to the FDOT report of our September 9th meeting, "The Department has agreed to re-evaluate plans for the sidewalk, "to see if any opportunities exist in terms of the eagles and pedestrian safety..."

"... 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)."

Keep in mind that the entire grassy swale from the edge of the highway, to within a few feet of the temporary chain-link fence is under FDOT jurisdiction. Parking and safe pedestrian crossing issues will also need to be resolved in coordination with the City of Pembroke Pines.

The project timeframe is June 2011, depending on approval of environmental concerns (wetland & eagle) with the agencies (SFWMD, USFWS, and FWC).

David Bogardus, Senior Environmental Specialist with FDOT District 4 Planning & Environmental Management will consider any comments readers may have concerning the design of the sidewalk, which will pass in front of the eagle nest, downslope and at a point more distant from the highway than the optimal nest-viewing areas. Since this would be closer to the wooded area, an elevated platform would be required to permit a view of the nest.

Please e-mail your concerns directly to Mr. Bogardus at this link.

and be sure to copy your comments here on the FORUM.

Thanks!

David Bogardus wrote:

If people have comments do let me know and I will add them into our records for consideration during the design phase of the southern sidewalk.

I have been told that a work order has been placed for the signage to be processed.

Best regards,
David

[Jill W]

I think that Mike and Trisha have already covered everything that I could think of to write.

I will not forward this to Mr. Bogardus because it is not relevant to this issue, but having watched and enjoyed tremendously an entire season of the American Bald Eagles family in West Vancouver, B.C., Canada, I have to say that the experience of watching our Pembroke Pines family was so much more of a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Even with the price of fuel these days, I would love the opportunity to see the eagles with my own binocs, camera and spotting scope rather than sit at home looking at a webcam.  I'm not at all saying that a webcam would be a bad idea!  I'm just saying that I don't want it to be a substitute and result in a no trespassing zone in the eagle viewing area.

[Jill W]

One more thing I want to add is that unless a truck went by and blew its horn (for whatever reason they did it) or a motorcyle made a loud noise starting up, I did not (during all the hours I was there) observe any reaction from the chicks or the adults.

Jill