Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.
City officials recently decided to wade into the planned resurfacing of U.S. 19 by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with the adoption of a resolution that asks the state agency for several improvements to the roadway, among them, bulb-outs.
Resolution 2021-13, which the Monticello City Council adopted by a unanimous vote on Tuesday evening, Sept. 7, proposes that the FDOT consider several modifications in its design plan for the resurfacing of U.S. 19 from north of the courthouse to the Georgia state line.
The resolution’s many whereases establish the foundation for the local interest in the project, including the town’s location at the intersections of U.S. 19 and U.S. 90, its historic character as the state’s third oldest National Register Historic District, the community’s longstanding engagement in preservation and sustainability efforts, and the council’s various improvement projects to enhance and revitalize the downtown district and improve citizens’ quality of life.
The town’s credentials established, the city officials offer a set of features that they ask the FDOT to transmit to the team that is developing the plan for the project for possible incorporation into the design.
The city’s several requests follow.
It asks the FDOT to be mindful of the city’s protection of trees and the value that the trees bring to the city in terms of its historic character and quality of life. It asks the state agency to consider redesigning the curbing, where appropriate, to allow for the maximization of the canopy trees’ access to water and soil nutrients.
It asks that rumble strips not be used within the city limits because of the noise that these traffic-slowing devices create.
It asks that angle parking be retained at 30 degrees on the roadway, as it enhances the visibility of drivers backing their vehicles into traffic and also that of pedestrians trying to cross the street.
It asks that bulb-outs be installed at two intersections north of the courthouse, but only if it’s done in consultation with city staff during the design phase. City officials want to avoid a repeat of the traffic problems that the oversized bulb-outs caused on U.S. 90.
The city requests that one bulb-out be placed at the northwest corner of Dogwood Street and U.S. 19, and for it to be aligned with the existing bulb-out on the northeast corner of Dogwood and U.S. 19.
“The bulb-out should not extend into the highway travel lane further than the existing 30-degree parking angles would necessitate,” the request states.
The city asks that two bulb-outs be installed on either side of the roadway on the southeast and southwest corners of the intersection of Pearl Street and U.S. 19.
“The bulb-outs should be of a size that minimizes intrusion into the travel lanes,” the request states.
Additionally, the city asks that the FDOT be mindful of the city’s historic character in the design of the bulb-outs and that it coordinate with city staff on the signage and landscaping for the protrusions.
The city cites the various benefits of bulb-outs.
“Besides creating safe routes for vulnerable road users, the bulb-outs will allow for signage which is closer to the actual vehicle lanes of travel, will allow for some corresponding drainage improvement at these intersections, if needed, and will eliminate problematic illegal parking at the corners of these intersections,” the resolution states. “The bulb-outs will also assist with traffic-calming in the areas entering and exiting the courthouse circle.”
The city finally asks that careful consideration be given to the placement, size and support structures of the signs and the in-pavement markings whenever possible.
It notes that sign clutter is a problem throughout the city and around the courthouse circle, often causing confusion for motorists.
“In many cases, signage is redundant and placed in areas not readily visible and in conflict with the historic character of the city,” the statement reads.