TRANSPORTATION

The purpose of this study is to determine what short term enhancements can be programmed to improve traffic operations at the I-75/SR 26 (Newberry Road) interchange. Short term improvements are aimed at increasing the efficiency of the SR 26 intersections while minimizing or eliminating right-of-way and bridge impacts.

The primary need for this project is to alleviate existing and future traffic congestion and delay at the study intersections. If no improvements are made to the ramp terminal intersections and adjacent intersections, traffic operations within the study area will continue to deteriorate as traffic continues to grow.

The existing traffic for this Interchange Operational Analysis Report (IOAR) is based on the Safety Study prepared in October of 2014 by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District 2 Traffic Operations Office. The primary basis for the growth rate development, used to develop the traffic projections in this IOAR, are the historical counts from the 2016 Florida Traffic Information (FTI) DVD, the latest version of the Gainesville Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) Model and Relief Study Model (RSM) developed for the recent North I-75 Master Plan. The analysis years for this study include Existing Year 2018, Opening Year 2019 and Design Year 2029. The operational analysis for this study was performed using the latest version of Synchro and Synchro based results have been reported for all intersections.

Two alternatives were evaluated to address the purpose and needs identified for this project. These include the No-Build Alternative and the Build Alternative. The Build Alternative, based on recommendations of the Safety Study, implements improvements to all the study intersections along SR 26.

SR 26 at I-75 Southbound Ramps
- Westbound direction: provide two left turn lanes
- Northbound direction: provide two right turn lanes and convert the through lane to a shared through/left turn lane

SR 26 at I-75 Northbound On-Ramp
- Eastbound direction: provide two left turn lanes
- Westbound direction: convert shared through/right turn lane to through lane and add one right turn lane

SR 26 at NW 69th Terrace
- Eastbound direction: provide two left turn lanes

Based on the evaluations of the No-Build and Build Alternatives, the recommended alternative, for approval in this study, is the Build Alternative. However by the Design Year 2029, the proposed improvements will not provide acceptable level of service (LOS) at the study intersections. So, it is recommended that ultimate improvements be analyzed to address future traffic growth in the study area.

This IOAR has been developed in accordance with the FDOT Policy No. 000-525-015: Approval of New or Modified Access to Highways on the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), FDOT Procedure No. 525-030-160: Approval of New or Modified interchange access to limited access facilities on SIS, Interchange Access Request User’s Guide (IARUG), and the FDOT Traffic Forecasting Handbook (Procedure No. 525-030-120).