The planning phase of a Sample Road improvements project is getting underway with funding from the Broward County Transportation Surtax.

In December, the City Commission approved a work order for the City’s engineering consultant, Kimley-Horn and Associates, to prepare a feasibility study and preliminary design concepts for improvements along Sample Road from Federal Highway to the Intracoastal Waterway.

The improvements that are being studied include the possible creation of a shared bike lane throughout the Sample Road corridor in Lighthouse Point; traffic calming options with particular attention to the intersections of NE 21st Avenue and NE 21st Way; construction of new ADA compliant sidewalks with lighting; alternative solutions for existing pedestrian crosswalks; upgrades to drainage and stormwater runoff; and roadway striping, milling and resurfacing needs.

Kimley-Horn will also evaluate intersection crossings, median cuts and back-out parking throughout the Sample Road corridor and potential ways to improve safety. 

For each of the proposed improvements, Kimley-Horn will provide recommendations and design concepts for both short-term (construction in less than three years) and long-term solutions, including cost estimates.

As part of its scope of work, Kimley-Horn will conduct two public outreach meetings–one scheduled for June and one scheduled for August.A summary of the proposed short-term and long-term recommendations will be presented at the meetings, along with renderings. 

Kimley-Horn is expected to complete the planning phase of the project in December 2023. The results of the planning phase are subject to review and approval by the County. Transportation surtax funding for the design phase of the project would be available in 2024, and for the construction phase in 2025.

In November 2018, Broward County voters approved a 30-year sales surtax of 1% (also known as the “penny for transportation”) to specifically fund transportation-related projects.

The City of Lighthouse Point applied for $67,500 in surtax funding for the planning phase of the Sample Road improvements project, and received approval from the County in June 2020. In November 2022, the City Commission approved a funding agreement with the County for the $67,500 in planning money, which will be used to pay for the work performed by Kimley-Horn. 

Before casting his vote to approve the agreement, Commissioner Michael Long discussed the parameters of the planning project and said he would have concerns with a shared bike lane anywhere east of Lighthouse Drive.

City Administrator John Lavisky explained that, while the planning phase will examine the feasibility of creating a shared bike lane throughout the Sample Road corridor, the City would not be obligated to move forward with it.The City Commission will have input in the planning phase and nothing will be submitted to the County until the City Commission reviews and concurs with the improvements recommended by Kimley-Horn.

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