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Village of Tequesta
US 1 "Complete Streets" Project Update
February 2018
Grr! What is with the orange barrels on US 1 and why now when "season"
is in full swing?!
Those are questions I am asked a lot! I've prepared this update and FAQs with
answers. Please share with friends and neighbors.
What's the reason for the roadwork?
As part of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) statewide road
maintenance schedule, the 1.5-mile section of US 1 in the Village of Tequesta was
slated to be resurfaced in 2016. Prior to the start of the maintenance project, an
opportunity to significantly improve the safety and ambience on the Village's
"main street"presented itself.
What are "Complete Streets?"
The "Complete Streets"program is a national initiative that configures roadways
to allow eaually safe passage for motorized vehicles, bicycle riders and
pedestrians.
How did "Complete Streets" concept come to Tequesta?
FDOT's "Complete Streets"program was introduced to the Village in 2014 by the
Florida Secretary of Transportation. Over several years, many steps were taken
to understand the concept and its feasibility. The vetting process was headed up
by the local regional transportation planning council and included a citizen's host
committee, numerous public meetings, interactive workshops, FDOT
transportation analyses, and engineering and architectural reviews.
In addition, suggestions from business owners and residents were incorporated
into the project's scope of work.
What are the benefits to residents?
In addition to allowing safe passage for all who choose to walk, run and bicycle
along the roadway, this configuration has been shown to have a calming effect on
vehicular traf�c. By design, US 1 in the Village of Teauesta will no longer be a 1.5
mile stretch of road to fan out into three lanes and speed through.
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How long will the construction take?
The roadwork was initially scheduled to begin in July 2017. Unfortunately, other
FDOT projects were still in progress. The project kicked off in November2017 with
the placement of orange barrels. FDOT indicated it would take approximately
one year from start to finish. Because of the duration of the project, a portion of
the work would be performed during "season."
Why a "Complete Streets" project in Tequesta?
The 1.5 mile stretch of highway in the Village is the only section of US 1 in nearly
26 miles that has six lanes(three lanes in each direction) used for vehicular traffic.
From Port Salerno south to North Palm Beach, US 1 has four lanes for motorized
vehicles and mostsections include a small area of road reserved for bicycle riders,
or a multi-use path that allows shared access for pedestrians and cyclists.
What happens when the US 1 Bridge construction begins?
When construction on the US 1 drawbridge begins (�entatively to start in 2021),
the same configuration of four motorized vehicle lanes, two bicycle lanes and wide
pedestrian walkways are being proposed. Our section of US 1 will merge
seamlessly with that of the new bridge.
What is the impact on the current road?
The width between the existing curb and median will NOT be narrowed, nor will
there be new curbs or other hard dividers to separate the bicycle lanes from those
used by motorized vehicles.
The size of the inside lanes allows for "buffered"bicycle lanes, meaning the section
of lane used by bicycle riders will be set back from vehicular traffic by nearly four
feet. This configuration also allows for widened sidewalks that will be over twelve
feet away from motorized vehicles.
The separation of lanes is accomplished using paint, striping and reflectors only.
Legal U-turns can be accommodated using the same width of roadway that
existed before the construction began.
What safety improvements will be included?
The project includes wider sidewalks, improved drainage, a mast arm traffic
signal with LED lighting, camera-driven traffic signal sequencing, a high-visibility
patterned pavement crosswalk, countdown pedestrian timers and decorative
pedestrian-scale lighting.
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None of these improvements would have been included in FDOT's scope of work if
the roadway was simply repaved.
What is the cost and who pays for "Complete Streets?"
The$2.5 million "Complete Streets"project was funded through a combination of
FDOT maintenance funds and a federal Transportation Alternative Grant. Apart
from the cost of two turn lanes reauested by the Village, no Tequesta residents'
tax dollars are being spent on the project.
What are we doing to help our business community during construction?
Tequesta businesses are the lifeblood of our community and road construction
can be challenging. The "Tastes of Tequesta Tour"was launched lastyear and will
soon be joined by the "Treasures of Tequesta Tour" as a means to keep the
spotlight on the numerous restaurant and retail establishments in our Village.
Your continued patronage of these businesses is vitally important as the
roadwork continues.
When can we expect traffic to ease up?
It has been 20 years since FDOT last paved our section of US 1, so we are not in
the habit of dealing with construction!As with any major roadwork, delays and
backups are common.
The orange barrels, restricted turning radius and unsynchronized traffrc lights
are causes for much of the traf�c delays. These conditions will cease or be
significantly reduced when construction ends. Of course, traf�c will be heaviest at
rush hour and it is a given that traffic will increase when seasonal visitors and
tourists arrive.
We understand that road construction is frustrating and ask for your patience.
When the project is complete, all forms of transportation will be safely
accommodated, and US 1 will reflect Tequesta's unique charm and "home-
town" appeal!
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For questions concerning the US 1 Complete Streets project, please
contact Village Manager Michael Couzzo by phone - (561) 768-0460 or by
email - mcouzzoC�tec�uesta.or�