Results

Public Official: Commissioner Mike DiTerlizzi
October 2002 Session

Final Report

Description of Project
In response to growth pressures in the area of Palm City , the Florida Department of Transportation was proposing a second bridge at the location of Indian Street to SW 36 th Street . Martin County and members of the community wish to see a bridge constructed that does not drastically alter and divide the residential communities along SW 36 th Street within Old Palm City.

Design Institute Recommendations
The Design Institute explored a strategy to allow development of the bridge while maintaining the character of the community and Old Palm City's waterfront promenade. Central to the plan is the proposition to minimize the elevation, width, and associated right of way of the bridge and reduce the design speed from 45 to 25 miles per hour and subsequently lessen potential noise impacts. The Design Institute's recommendations called for a linear park with bike paths within the median right-of-way between the divided roadways. Multi-family residential frontage was suggested along both sides of the roadway as a buffer zone to the single family residential behind it.

Results
A large contingent of the residents continues to protest the building of any bridge in any form. In October 2003 Commissioner DiTerlizzi stated: " A presentation was given to the residents at a public meeting. Although I believed the project to be a wonderful example of neighborhood planning, the residents revolted in masses. Unfortunately we tabled the project." As of January 2004 the bridge is not listed in the five year transportation plan but Commissioner DiTerlizzi continues to speak with residents about the merits of a bridge and the design as suggested by the Design Institute experts.

March 2006

During budget hearings during late 2005, The Martin County Commission agreed to sell bonds to help sway state legislators to budget more money for the proposed Indian Street bridge. They also pledged about one of every four dollars raised by a gas tax for the next 20 years toward funding the Indian Street Bridge and other various road projects. Currently, Martin County leaders are trying to convince state lawmakers to accelerate the construction of the project.

Additional Contacts

Commissioner DiTerlizzi mditerli@martin.fl.us

Pat Spaulding, Executive Aide 772-221-1357 pspauldi@martin.fl.us

Florida Department of Transportation

Steven C. Braun, P.E., Project Manager
3400 West Commercial Boulevard Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
954-777-4143 Toll Free Local Access 866-336-8435 ext. 4143
Email: district4.pd&estudies@dot.state.fl.us