Truck Bypass, Krome to Campbell to Turnpike

(the aerial photo is not associated with Homestead)

http://mrgmiami.com/what_we_do/projects_pde/project_04.php

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
FDOT KROME AVENUE TRUCK BY -PASS ROUTE PRESENTATION
 

Director of Transportation Development for the Florida Department of Transportation, Harold Desdunes, stated his team was present to provide an update on the Krome Avenue Truck By -Pass Project Development and Environmental Study. He introduced his team: George Gomez and Consultant Project Manager and Engineer of Records Jeff Easley. Mr. Desdunes voiced his apologies on behalf of District Secretary, Gus Pego, who was unable to attend the meeting. He stated Mr. Easley would be making a short presentation about the development study.
 

Consultant Project Manager and Engineer of Records Jeff Easley informed the project development environmental study that had been done for the truck by -pass actually started in November 2008. Mr. Easley stated he would provide a PowerPoint Presentation that would illustrate the alternatives. He indicated Krome Avenue was on the Florida interstate highway system and also the strategic inner modal system. As a result of this Krome Avenue was selected for the SIS network primarily because such statewide networks comprised of roadways that carried commercial goods and commerce. Mr. Easley posited the PD &E study was the second phase of any transportation improvement the FDOT undertook.
 

The purpose of the project was to redirect truck traffic that currently used Krome Avenue and the Historical
Downtown District, as well as improve truck mobility to improve emergency evacuations and congestion relief and enhance the pedestrian - friendly environment of downtown. The existing route for trucks consisted of 18- wheelers which came as far north as Maine and New York, using Krome Avenue to arrive at the Farmer's Market. Mr. Easley expressed part of the study involved looking at 10 -12 bypass routes in an effort to create an evaluation matrix of alternatives. After extensive screenings, Alternative L: Campbell Drive proved most effective.
 

Mr. Easley continued, the only way the City was going to divert trucks from the downtown Krome area was to make it illegal; therefore, the objective was to re- designate Krome Avenue through downtown as an SIS corridor, divert the SIS corridor to another street and connect it to another SIS corridor. For this reason Campbell Drive was the only alternative left because it connected to Krome Avenue and the Turnpike, both of which were SIS corridors and created a logical redirection that would allow the FDOT to restrict trucks from downtown. Mr. Easley indicated if finalized, improvements on Campbell Drive would involve the widening of lanes to provide an increase turning radius and intersection improvements. If funds were not available an interim improvement would comprise of turning movement improvements at the intersections.

If not mistaken Campbell, U.S.1, Krome Avenue and their cross streets may already lead the city in vehicular accidents, so what effect will the bypass for big rigs have on our community?

 Bold line represents Downtown Truck Bypass.