23rd Street Complete Streets Study

Our Client’s Challenge

With a daily population exceeding 200,000 and a residential population over 90,000, Miami Beach experiences significant roadway congestion that adversely affects local business operations, residents’ quality of life, and the visitor experience. In response, the City of Miami Beach implemented a Transportation Master Plan in 2015 that prioritizes non-motorized transportation methods, like walking and biking, and public transportation over personal automobiles to alleviate traffic issues.

Complete streets projects benefit metropolitan cities because they enhance safety for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders, by reducing crashes through well-designed infrastructure. They promote economic growth by offering access to multiple modes of transportation for connecting to local businesses. Additionally, they encourage healthier lifestyles by promoting walking and bicycling, improve environmental quality by reducing emissions, and save long-term costs by integrating necessary features into initial designs, avoiding expensive retrofits.

To initiate the 23^rd Street Complete Streets project, the City of Miami Beach needed a study that collected and analyzed data on existing conditions, identified key challenges and opportunities, and engaged a diverse array of stakeholders to devise a practical, multimodal transportation solution. The project area included 23^rd Street between Pine Tree Drive and the Beachwalk, 22^nd Street between Park Avenue and the Beachwalk, and Park Avenue between 23^rd Street and 22^nd Street.

Our Solution

Gannett Fleming provided transportation planning and preliminary engineering services for the City of Miami Beach Transportation and Mobility Department by performing a complete streets analysis that included thorough data collection of 23^rd Street’s current conditions. The feasibility study included extensive public and stakeholder involvement to ensure that the perspectives of nearby businesses, residents, and other organizations were integrated into the multimodal transportation planning process.

The team created a conceptual 23^rd Street design that enhances transportation efficiency and safety while offering all users a convenient and comfortable travel experience. Once finalized, 23^rd Street will transform a bustling thoroughfare into a complete street that provides safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.

Key Features

New three-lane configuration to maintain traffic flow and accommodate enhanced transit shelters, which serve the city’s trolly service and regional routes.
New traffic signal at 23^rd Street and Park Avenue.
Traffic calming improvements, such as raised intersections.
New bicycle lanes.
On-street parking relocated to the off-street Collins Park Garage, adjacent to 23^rdStreet.
Direct connection to public beaches through proposed bicycle lanes and a wider beach access path.
A flex lane, serving as daytime freight loading zones and as nighttime pick-up and drop-off areas for passenger taxis or transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft.

Outcomes

Enhances safety by reducing crashes through various roadway improvements.
Promotes economic growth by improving accessibility to local businesses.
Alleviates congestion by offering more travel choices.
Encourages walking, biking, and jogging, benefiting public health.
Provides safe school routes for children with wide sidewalks.
Reduces the potential of future retrofit costs, as incorporating sidewalks, bike lanes, transit amenities, and safe crossings are included in the project plan.
Contributes to better air quality by reducing the amount of vehicle emissions.